Expression Pattern Alterations of the Brain KCC2 Chloride Transporter in Male Rats Following Postnatal Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure Associated With Behavioral Outcomes.

BACKGROUND

Exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) has increased with technological development. Environmental factors are known to influence the K+-Cl- cotransporter 2 (KCC2), which regulates neuronal chloride homeostasis and is essential for brain development through its role in the GABAergic shift. In this study, we investigated the effects of ELF-MF exposure on KCC2 expression and related behavioral and biochemical outcomes in Wistar rat pups.

METHODS

Wistar rat pups were exposed to ELF-MF (10 mT, 50 Hz) for 2 h per day from postnatal day (PND) 1 to 10.

RESULTS

Results indicated a significant reduction in KCC2 expression in the ELF-MF-exposed group. Furthermore, these animals exhibited enhanced anxiety-like behaviors, elevated brain malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and shortened latency to tonic-clonic seizures compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that early exposure to ELF-MFs disrupts KCC2 expression in the developing brain and induces behavioral and biochemical abnormalities in male rats.