Investigation of oxidative stress parameters in thyroid tissue of rats exposed to 3.5 GHz RF radiation: Potential protective effect of quersetin application

This thesis investigated whether 3.5 GHz radiofrequency (RF) radiation—used in next-generation 5G communication infrastructure—induces oxidative stress in the thyroid tissue of rats, and evaluated the potential protective role of quercetin, a natural flavonoid, against such effects. Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups and subjected to RF exposure and/or quercetin administration for 30 consecutive days. At the end of the experiment, thyroid hormone levels (T3, T4, TSH) and oxidative stress markers (MDA, TAS, TOS, and GSH) were analyzed in serum and tissue samples. The results demonstrated that RF exposure led to significant oxidative damage in thyroid tissue and caused disruptions in hormone levels. Specifically, increased MDA and TOS levels and decreased TAS and GSH levels were observed. In addition, significant reductions in thyroid hormone levels were detected. Quercetin treatment exerted partial ameliorative effects on these parameters and attenuated the harmful effects of RF in certain biomarkers. According to SAR analysis, the whole-body specific absorption rate (SAR) was calculated as 0.006879 W/kg, while the thyroid-specific SAR was 0.000598 W/kg. These findings indicate that RF radiation may produce biological effects even at low SAR levels and that natural antioxidants like quercetin may offer protective potential against such damage. This study contributes to the understanding of potential effects of environmental electromagnetic exposure on thyroid health and provides insights for the development of preventive strategies. Keywords: Radiofrequency radiation, 3.5 GHz, Quercetin, Oxidative stress, Thyroid.