Stress-Responsive MAPK Signaling Pathway with Proliferation and Apoptosis in the Rat Testis After 2100 Mhz Radiofrequency Radiation Exposure

Hakan Er; Gizem Gamze Tas; Bikem Soygur; Sukru Ozen; Leyla Sati

doi:10.58600/eurjther2009

Authors

Hakan Er Department of Medical Imaging Techniques, Vocational School of Health Services, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Türkiye https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7739-4712
Gizem Gamze Tas Department of Histology and Embryology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Türkiye https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3872-5026
Bikem Soygur Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Reproductive Sciences, Eli and Edy the Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2749-9871
Sukru Ozen Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Türkiye https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5538-6786
Leyla Sati Department of Histology and Embryology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Türkiye https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1801-2021

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58600/eurjther2009

Keywords:

Apoptosis, MAPK pathway, proliferation, radiofrequency radiation, rat, testis

Abstract

Objective: Mobile phone technology has progressed quickly in recent years. Cell phones operate using radiofrequency radiation (RFR), and the complete biological impacts of RFR remain unidentified. Thus, we aimed to investigate the potential effects of 2100 MHz radiofrequency radiation exposure on the stress-responsive JNK/p38 MAPK pathway, apoptosis and proliferation in rat testis.

Methods: RFR groups were created with 2100 MHz RFR exposure for acute (2 h/day for 1 week) and chronic (2 h/day for 10 weeks) periods. Sham groups were kept under identical conditions without RFR. The cell apoptosis and histopathological changes in testis were evaluated. Immunolocalization of PCNA, active caspase-3, Bcl-xL, p-JNK and p-p38 were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, the total protein expressions were identified by Western blot.

Results: There were no differences between RFR and sham groups by means of histopathology and TUNEL analysis. Also, the expression levels and the immunolocalization patterns of PCNA, active caspase-3 and Bcl-xL proteins were not altered. p-JNK and p-p38 protein expressions were prominently elevated in acute and chronic RFR groups.

Conclusion: In conclusion, 2100 MHz RFR exposure had no considerably deleterious consequences on cellular proliferation and apoptosis processes in rat testis. However, increased expression of stress-activated protein kinases, p-JNK and p-p38, suggests the involvement of the MAPK signaling pathway as a critical (may be detrimental) cellular response.

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