Coenzyme Q10 protects against 6 GHz electromagnetic field-induced liver injury via suppression of inflammatory responses associated with NF-κB/p65 immunoreactivity and endoplasmic reticulum stress

Abstract

We evaluated endoplasmic reticulum stress responses in hepatic tissues following 6 GHz electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure and the protective effects of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). The experimental design included 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats randomly assigned to three groups: (i) sham control group, (ii) 6 GHz EMF exposure group, and (iii) 6 GHz EMF exposure + CoQ10 treatment group. Rats in the exposure groups were subjected to 6 GHz EMF exposure for 2 h/day over 30 consecutive days. Rats in the exposure groups were subjected to 6 GHz EMF exposure (0.21 mW/cm2; specific absorption rate: 0.014 W/kg) for 2 h/day over 30 consecutive days. In addition, the animals in the CoQ10 treatment group received CoQ10 orally at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day throughout the exposure period. After completing the experimental protocol, hepatic tissue samples were obtained for subsequent analyses. Comparative analyses revealed significant differences in TBARS, GSH, TNF-α, IL-1β, ALT, and AST levels across the control-6 GHz and 6 GHz -6 GHz + CoQ10 groups. Exposure to 6 GHz EMF increased histopathological damage and liver histopathological score values, whereas CoQ10 markedly reduced these changes and suppressed glucose-regulated protein 78, C/EBP homologous protein, oxidative 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, and nuclear factor kappa B p65immunoreactivitiesy. 6 GHz EMF induces hepatic dysfunction via oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation, and DNA damage, whereas CoQ10 mitigates these effects of EMF exposure.