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Exposure to mobile phone electromagnetic field radiation, ringtone and vibration affects anxiety-like behaviour and oxidative stress biomarkers in albino wistar rats

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Abstract

Research on the effects of Mobile phone radio frequency emissions on biological systems has been focused on noise and vibrations as auditory stressors. This study investigated the potential effects of exposure to mobile phone electromagnetic field radiation, ringtone and vibration on anxiety-like behaviour and oxidative stress biomarkers in albino wistar rats. Twenty five male wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups of 5 animals each: group I: exposed to mobile phone in switched off mode (control), group II: exposed to mobile phone in silent mode, group III: exposed to mobile phone in vibration mode, group IV: exposed to mobile phone in ringtone mode, group V: exposed to mobile phone in vibration and ringtone mode. The animals in group II to V were exposed to 10 min call (30 missed calls for 20 s each) per day for 4 weeks. Neurobehavioural studies for assessing anxiety were carried out 24 h after the last exposure and the animals were sacrificed. Brain samples were collected for biochemical evaluation immediately. Results obtained showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in open arm duration in all the experimental groups when compared to the control. A significant decrease (P < 0.05) was also observed in catalase activity in group IV and V when compared to the control. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicates that 4 weeks exposure to electromagnetic radiation, vibration, ringtone or both produced a significant effect on anxiety-like behavior and oxidative stress in young wistar rats.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Malam Isa Ahmed-Sherif of the Department of Human Physiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, for his assistance in training and handling of the animals, Mr. Olu Aiyegbuisi of the Department of Chemical Pathology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, Nigeria for biochemical analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Nigeria

    Abubakar Shehu

  2. Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

    Aliyu Mohammed & Rabiu Abdussalam Magaji

  3. Department of Human Physiology, College of Medical Sciences, Gombe State University, Gombe, Nigeria

    Mustapha Shehu Muhammad

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  1. Abubakar Shehu
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  2. Aliyu Mohammed
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  3. Rabiu Abdussalam Magaji
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  4. Mustapha Shehu Muhammad
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Correspondence to Abubakar Shehu.

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All experimental protocols were in accordance with the Ahmadu Bello University Research policy; and ethic and regulations governing the care and use of experimental animals (NIH Publication no. 85–23, revised 1996).

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The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.

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Shehu, A., Mohammed, A., Magaji, R.A. et al. Exposure to mobile phone electromagnetic field radiation, ringtone and vibration affects anxiety-like behaviour and oxidative stress biomarkers in albino wistar rats. Metab Brain Dis 31, 355–362 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-015-9758-x

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