Chronic Continuous Whole-Body 2.45 GHz Wi-Fi Exposure (Estimated SAR ~1.4 W/kg) Reduces Serum Thyroid Hormones and Alters Thyroid Histology in Adult Male Wistar Rats

Khadijeh  Saravani; Laleh Shahraki  Mojahed; Javad  Poursamimi; Mehrangiz  Ghafari; Mehdi  Mirshekar

doi:10.18502/jabs.v16i2.20879

Khadijeh Saravani Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran
Laleh Shahraki Mojahed Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Zabol University of Medical Sciences.Zabol, Iran
Javad Poursamimi Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran
Mehrangiz Ghafari Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran
Mehdi Mirshekar Student Research Committee, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, lran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jabs.v16i2.20879

Keywords: Electromagnetic fields, Wi-Fi, Thyroid hormones, Hypothalamic–pituitary– thyroid axis

Abstract

Background & Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate serum thyroid hormone levels and thyroid histopathology following chronic whole-body exposure to 2.45 GHz Wi-Fi radiation in adult male Wistar rats using an estimated whole-body specific absorption rate (SAR).

Materials & Methods: Twenty adult male Wistar rats (150 to 200 g) were randomly allocated to either the control group (n = 10) or the Wi-Fi exposure group (n = 10). The exposure group underwent continuous whole-body irradiation with a 2.45 GHz Wi-Fi signal for 24 h/day over a 30 day period. The estimated mean whole-body SAR in the exposed group was 1.4 W/ kg (range: 1.2 to 1.6 W/kg). Serum concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured using radioimmunoassay. Thyroid tissues were subsequently processed for histopathological examination using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Statistical analyses were conducted using appropriate parametric or nonparametric tests, with statistical significance defined as p < 0.05.

Results: Compared with the control group, rats exposed to Wi-Fi radiation exhibited significantly lower serum concentrations of T3 (1.73 ± 0.16 vs. 2.14 ± 0.17 ng/mL; p < 0.001), T4 (6.88 ± 0.19 vs. 7.38 ± 0.30 μg/dL; p = 0.003), and TSH (0.03 ± 0.01 vs. 0.05 ± 0.02 mIU/L; p = 0.014). Histopathological evaluation demonstrated reduced follicular diameter, manifested by the appearance of microfollicles, diminished colloid content, and disorganization of follicular epithelial cells in exposed animals relative to controls.

Conclusion: Continuous exposure to 2.45 GHz Wi-Fi radiation at an estimated whole- body SAR of approximately 1.4 W/kg (range: 1.2 to 1.6 W/kg) for 30 days was associated with reduced serum T3, T4, and TSH concentrations, together with structural alterations in thyroid tissue in adult male rats.