Acute exposure to 27.12 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field disrupts blood-brain barrier integrity via eNOS activation and occludin down-regulation

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Bioengineering, Institute of Natural and Applied Sciences, Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Türkiye

2 Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Türkiye

3 Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Türkiye

4 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Türkiye

5 Department of Anesthesia and Reanimation, Faculty of Medicine, Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Türkiye

6 Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Türkiye

7 Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Burdur, Türkiye

10.22038/ijbms.2025.86952.18784

Abstract

Objective(s): Controlled modulation of blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability without inducing damage represents a promising strategy for enhancing central nervous system drug delivery.
Materials and Methods: This study investigated the effects of 27.12 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure for 30, 180, and 360 min on BBB integrity in female Wistar rats (n=6 per group). Brain and cerebellar tissues were analyzed histologically and immunohistochemically (haptoglobin, CD31), and molecular analyses were performed for oxidative stress parameters (TAS, TOS, and OSI), inflammatory and hypoxia markers (IL-6 and HIF-1α), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and tight junction proteins (claudin-1 and occludin).
Results: RF-EMF exposure for 30 min significantly increased eNOS gene expression without triggering oxidative stress or inflammation. Longer exposures (180 and 360 min) resulted in increased HIF-1α expression, decreased levels of claudin-1 and occludin, and histopathological signs of hyperemia and edema, particularly in the cerebellar tissue. Notably, occludin expression decreased in all exposure groups, while eNOS was maximally up-regulated at 30 min.
Conclusion: Thirty-minute RF-EMF exposure at 27.12 MHz transiently modulates BBB permeability via eNOS activation and occludin down-regulation without apparent tissue damage. These findings suggest that short-term RF-EMF application may serve as a non-invasive tool for targeted BBB modulation. Further studies are warranted to refine exposure parameters and assess translational potential in neuropharmacological applications.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
Volume 28, Issue 12
December 2025
Pages 1691-1698

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