Effect of microwave emission from mobile phones on the rat thalamus and the potential protective role of ascorbic acid: a light and electron microscopic study

Background: Today, about half of the world s population, even at a very young age, owns microwave-producing mobile phones. As mobile phones are held in close proximity to the head, the microwaves emitted may exert many effects on the brain.Aim of the study: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of long-term exposure to mobile phone emissions on the thalamic neurons and the integrity of its blood barrier. This study also aimed to investigate whether ascorbic acid could ameliorate microwave-induced thalamic changes.Materials and methods: Forty adult male albino rats were used; they were divided into four equal groups. Group I served as a control group. In group II, rats were exposed to 0.043–0.135 W/kg for 42 days (4 h/day in the light). The microwave radiation was produced by a mobile test phone (model NOKIA 3110). Rats of group III were subjected to mobile waves as in group II and they concomitantly received oral ascorbic acid at a dose of 250 mg/kg/day. Group IV received ascorbic acid only.Results: The thalamic neurons of wave-exposed animals showed significant morphological necrotic changes. Some appeared markedly vacuolated; others were irregular in shape, with densely stained nuclei. Ultrastructurally, the cytoplasm of some neurons showed prominent cytoplasmic vacuolization. A significant decrease in the mean area percentage of tight junction protein occludin expression in thalamic microvessels was also detected. In contrast, sections obtained from rats of group III showed a significant improvement of the microwave-produced changes but never reverted to the same state as the controls.Conclusion: Chronic microwave exposure could have a marked effect on the thalamic neurons and its blood barrier. Administration of ascorbic acid resulted in a significant improvement, but it was not sufficient to gain a normal histological appearance