Introduction: The massive increase in cell phone use in the world increases worries about its possible side effects on the human health. The cell phones release nonionizing radiofrequency waves that can affect the thyroid gland due its anatomical position. Thyroid gland regulates the metabolic rate of the body and plays an important role in the human health.
Aim of the Work: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of electromagnetic waves emitted from 4G mobile phone on the thyroid gland using the adult male albino rat as an experimental model.
Material and Methods: Thirty-six adult male albino rats were divided into 2 groups: Group I which was divided into 2 subgroups; IA (Control) and IB (Sham exposed). Group II (4G group) in which the rats were exposed to Lenovo B phones as sources of 4G-LTE radiation emitted by ringing for one hour per day for eight weeks. At the end of the experiment, thyroid gland specimens were processed for histological examination. Also, morphometric study and statistical analysis were done.
Results: Histological sections from the 4G group showed signs of hypoactivity in the form of statistically significant increase in the follicular diameter and statistically significant decrease in the follicular epithelium height. In addition, some follicles showed signs of degeneration in the form of denuded follicles, exfoliated epithelium in the follicular lumen. Some follicular cells showed vacuolated cytoplasm and pyknotic nuclei. Also, accumulation of macrophages was detected at the site of degeneration. In the interstitial tissue between the follicles, dilated and congested blood vessels were noticed and there was apparent increase in the parafollicular and mast cells. These results were confirmed by transmission electron microscopic examination.
Conclusion: Electromagnetic radiation emitted from 4G cell phone resulted in pathological changes in the thyroid gland of adult male albino rat