The effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation emitted by mobile phones on rat parotid gland histology – an experimental study

L.I. Matei, M.A. Neag, L.P. Mocan, R.T. Suflețel, A. Cuțaș, M.M. Onofrei, L.M. Gherman, G. Armencea, C. Mihu, A. Ilea, C.M. Mihu, I.R. Bordea, F. Inchingolo, G. Dipalma, C.S. Melincovici

Faculty of Dentistry, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. roxana.bordea@ymail.com

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• Dentistry

OBJECTIVE: The advancement of telecommunication technology and devices promptly transformed mobile phones into indispensable objects in our day-to-day lives, but their biological effects remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the potential histopathological changes induced by mobile phone radiation in the parotid gland and the nearby tissues.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty female Rattus Norvegicus rats were divided into three groups: group 1 (exposed for 30 days), group 2 (exposed for 60 days), and control group (non-exposed). Each subject was exposed to mobile phone radiation in the form of a phone call for two hours every day for their subsequent exposure time. The exposure was always directed towards the same side of the face throughout the whole exposure period. At the end of the exposure period, a comprehensive examination was conducted, including inspection of the orofacial structures, tissue sections of the parotid glands, overlying skin, oral mucosa, and cervical lymph nodes, as well as obtaining smears from the oral cavity. To highlight the presence of micronuclei within the exfoliated squamous cells of the oral epithelium, Feulgen stain was performed.

RESULTS: The results showed a significant activation of the fibroblasts in the parotid gland septa, in both exposed experimental groups, compared to the control group. We also detected significant cervical lymph node reactive changes, hyperkeratosis of the oral epithelium, and activated fibroblasts in the dermis and oral mucosa lamina propria in both experimental groups. Dermal fibrosis and lamina propria fibrosis were significantly increased in the second experimental group, compared to the control group. Moreover, vascular congestion in the parotid gland, dermal, and lamina propria fibrosis were significantly increased in the second study group compared to the first one.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that exposure to mobile phone radiation may lead to pathological changes in the parotid gland and nearby tissues of experimental rats.

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