Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
TISSUE AND CELL, cilt.101, ss.1-8, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
The widespread use of 5 G mobile communication technology has raised the possibility of neurosensory effects arising from exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF). This study investigated the effects of EMF exposure in the 5 G FR1 band on the olfactory bulb and the potential protective role of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1 (Control) received only saline via oral gavage. Group 2 (EMF) was exposed to EMF in the 5 G FR1 band for 2 h per day (09:00–11:00) and received oral saline. Group 3 (EMF + CoQ10) underwent the same EMF exposure and additionally received 10 mg/kg CoQ10 dissolved in corn oil at 2 mg/kg orally for 30 days. At the end of the experiment, olfactory bulb tissue samples were collected from all animals. Tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and evaluated histopathologically. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress levels were analyzed by immunohistochemical methods based on GRP78 and CHOP expression. Oxidative stress parameters, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, were measured in the tissue (mg/g) using biochemical methods. In the EMF group, prominent histopathological changes such as widespread glial cell abnormalities, inflammation, necrotic neurons with pyknotic nuclei, and neuronal degeneration were observed in the olfactory bulb tissue. In this group, the expressions of GRP78 and CHOP, which are markers of ER stress, and MDA levels, which are indicators of oxidative stress, were significantly increased compared to the control group, while GSH levels were decreased. In contrast, in the EMF + CoQ10 group, these adverse changes were significantly reduced, histopathological damage was significantly decreased, GRP78 and CHOP expression levels were reduced, MDA levels showed a downward trend, and GSH levels increased significantly, approaching those of the control group (p < 0.05). It was demonstrated that EMF exposure in the 5 G FR1 band causes ER stress and oxidative damage in the olfactory bulb tissue, while CoQ10 may play a protective role by reducing these harmful effects.