title: Effects of chronic exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on energy balance in developing rats.
abstract: The effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on the control of body energy balance in developing organisms have not been studied, despite the involvement of energy status in vital physiological functions. We examined the effects of chronic RF-EMF exposure (900 MHz, 1 V m(-1)) on the main functions involved in body energy homeostasis (feeding behaviour, sleep and thermoregulatory processes). Thirteen juvenile male Wistar rats were exposed to continuous RF-EMF for 5 weeks at 24 °C of air temperature (T a) and compared with 11 non-exposed animals. Hence, at the beginning of the 6th week of exposure, the functions were recorded at T a of 24 °C and then at 31 °C. We showed that the frequency of rapid eye movement sleep episodes was greater in the RF-EMF-exposed group, independently of T a (+42.1 % at 24 °C and +31.6 % at 31 °C). The other effects of RF-EMF exposure on several sleep parameters were dependent on T a. At 31 °C, RF-EMF-exposed animals had a significantly lower subcutaneous tail temperature (-1.21 °C) than controls at all sleep stages; this suggested peripheral vasoconstriction, which was confirmed in an experiment with the vasodilatator prazosin. Exposure to RF-EMF also increased daytime food intake (+0.22 g h(-1)). Most of the observed effects of RF-EMF exposure were dependent on T a. Exposure to RF-EMF appears to modify the functioning of vasomotor tone by acting peripherally through α-adrenoceptors. The elicited vasoconstriction may restrict body cooling, whereas energy intake increases. Our results show that RF-EMF exposure can induce energy-saving processes without strongly disturbing the overall sleep pattern.
authors.affiliation: PériTox Laboratory (EA 4285-UMI01), Faculty of Medicine, Jules Verne University of Picardy, 3 rue des Louvels, CS 13602, 80036, Amiens cedex 1, France.
authors.forename: Amandine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pelletier
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Delanaud
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Décima
authors.forename: Gyorgy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thuroczy
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Seze
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cerri
authors.forename: Véronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bach
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Libert
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Loos
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D011224:Prazosin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011846:Radio Waves / Q000009:adverse effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012890:Sleep / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013623:Tail / Q000098:blood supply / Q000528:radiation effects; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000528:radiation effects; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D011224:Prazosin