Home Office EMF Research

.[Effect of 1.8 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on the expression of microtubule associated protein 2 in rat neurons]

Zhao R, Zhang SZ, Yao GD, Lu DQ, Jiang H, Xu ZP · 2006

[Global gene response to GSM 1800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field in MCF-7 cells.]

Wang LL, Chen GD, Lu DQ, Chiang H, Xu ZP. · 2006

Researchers intermittently exposed MCF-7 cells to GSM 1800 MHz RF EMF modulated by 217 Hz for 24 hours at SARs of 2.0 W/kg or 3.5 W/kg. A small number of differentially expressed genes were found after exposure. Reproducible analysis yielded no genes at 2.0 W/kg and five up-regulated genes at 3.5 W/kg. The five genes identified at 3.5 W/kg could not be confirmed by RT-PCR. The authors concluded that the study did not provide clear evidence of distinct gene expression changes under the experimental conditions.

Microarray gene expression profiling of a human glioblastoma cell line exposed in vitro to a 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated radiofrequency field.

Qutob SS et al. · 2006

Researchers exposed U87MG glioblastoma cells to a 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated RF field for 4 hours at SARs of 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0 W/kg to assess global gene expression. No evidence was found that non-thermal RF fields affect gene expression in these cells compared to nonirradiated controls. Heat shock at 43°C for 1 hour up-regulated typical stress-responsive genes in the positive control group.

Effects of mobile-phone microwave on dimethylbenz (a) anthracene induced mammary carcinoma development in rats.

Shen YH, Yu D, Fu YT, Chiang H. · 2006

Five hundred female Sprague Dawley rats received a single dose of 35 mg/kg DMBA and were divided into five groups with SARs of 0, 0.44, 1.33, and 4.00 W/kg, exposed for 4 hours per day, 5 days per week for 26 weeks. The sham-exposure group had a 37% carcinoma incidence, while the exposure groups at 0.44, 1.33, and 4.00 W/kg had incidences of 25%, 34%, and 38% respectively, with no statistically significant differences between groups. The authors concluded that the study did not provide evidence that 900 MHz GSM microwave exposure promotes DMBA-induced mammary tumor development in rats.

Effects of 1.8GHz radiofrequency field on DNA damage and expression of heat shock protein 70 in human lens epithelial cells

Lixia S et al. · 2006

Researchers exposed human lens epithelial cells (hLEC) to a 1.8 GHz GSM radiofrequency field at SARs of 1, 2, and 3 W/kg for 2 hours and then measured DNA damage, Hsp70 expression, and cell proliferation. DNA breaks at 1 and 2 W/kg were not significantly different from controls at any time point, while the 3 W/kg dose showed significantly increased DNA damage only at 0 and 30 minutes after exposure. Hsp70 protein expression was significantly increased at 2 and 3 W/kg, but Hsp70 mRNA expression did not change in any group, and cell proliferation was unaffected at all doses.

Effects of 1.8GHz radiofrequency field on DNA damage and expression of heat shock protein 70 in human lens epithelial cells.

Lixia S et al. · 2006

Researchers exposed human eye lens cells to cell phone radiation at different power levels for 2 hours. Higher exposures caused temporary DNA damage and triggered cellular stress responses, suggesting that phone radiation can affect eye cells even without heating tissue.

Effect of 50-Hz 1-mT magnetic field on the uterus and ovaries of rats (electron microscopy evaluation).

Aksen F, Akdag MZ, Ketani A, Yokus B, Kaya A, Dasdag S. · 2006

Effects of extremely low-frequency magnetic field in the brain of rats

Jelenković A et al. · 2006

Researchers exposed adult male Wistar rats to a 50 Hz, 0.5 mT extremely low-frequency magnetic field for 7 days, while control rats were sham-exposed. Superoxide dismutase activities and production of superoxide radicals, lipid peroxidation, and nitric oxide were examined in the frontal cortex, striatum, basal forebrain, hippocampus, brainstem, and cerebellum. Superoxide radicals were significantly increased in all regions examined, and lipid peroxidation was significantly increased in the basal forebrain and frontal cortex. The researchers indicated that the 7-day exposure can be harmful to the brain, especially to the basal forebrain and frontal cortex due to development of lipid peroxidation.

Modulation of MCP-1 and iNOS by 50-Hz sinusoidal electromagnetic field

Reale M et al. · 2006

Researchers investigated whether overnight exposure to a 1 mT, 50-Hz sinusoidal electromagnetic field affects the expression of iNOS and MCP-1 in human monocytes. EMF exposure affected iNOS and MCP-1 expression in cultured human mononuclear cells at both the mRNA level and the protein level. iNOS was down-regulated while MCP-1 was up-regulated.

Integration of differences in EEG analysis reveals changes in human EEG caused by microwave.

Bachmann M et al. · 2006

Researchers applied three different EEG analysis methods to detect changes caused by microwave exposure in healthy volunteers. Volunteers were exposed to 450 MHz microwave radiation modulated at several different frequencies, with a field power density of 0.16 mW/cm2 at the scalp. Statistically significant changes in EEG rhythms energy and dynamics were found in between 12% and 30% of subjects.

Comparison of 864 MHz and 935 MHz microwave radiation effects on cell culture.

Pavicic I, Trosic I, Sarolic A · 2006

Researchers compared the effects of 864 MHz and 935 MHz microwave radiation on V79 cell proliferation, colony formation, and viability. Cells exposed to 864 MHz for 2 or 3 hours showed significantly reduced growth on day 3, whereas 3-hour 935 MHz exposure significantly increased growth. Colony-forming ability and viability did not differ significantly from controls for either frequency.

Zinc supplementation ameliorates electromagnetic field-induced lipid peroxidation in the rat brain.

Bediz CS, Baltaci AK, Mogulkoc R, Oztekin E. · 2006

Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to three groups: control, EMF-exposed (50 Hz, 5 minutes every other day for 6 months), and EMF-exposed with zinc sulfate (3 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally). Researchers measured plasma zinc and TBARS, and GSH in erythrocytes; TBARS and GSH were also determined in brain tissues. TBARS levels in plasma and brain were higher in EMF-exposed rats than controls, and lower in zinc-supplemented rats than EMF-exposed rats. GSH levels decreased in brain and erythrocytes of EMF-exposed rats and were highest in zinc-supplemented rats. Plasma zinc was lower in EMF-exposed rats than controls and highest in zinc-supplemented rats.

Decrease of luminol chemiluminescence upon exposure of human blood serum to 50 Hz electric fields.

Calota V, Dragoiu S, Meghea A, Giurginca M · 2006

Researchers investigated the decrease of luminol chemiluminescence upon exposure of human blood serum to 50 Hz electric fields. After 1 and 2 hours of in vitro exposure to 50 Hz electric fields of different intensities, the chemiluminescence of luminol decreased compared to controls. The authors indicate this reflects a field-induced decrease in free radical concentration.

Extremely low frequency magnetic field induces hyperalgesia in mice modulated by nitric oxide synthesis

Jeong JH, Kum C, Choi HJ, Park ES, Sohn UD. · 2006

Researchers investigated the effect of 60 Hz ELF-MF on hyperalgesia in mice using a hot plate test. Exposure to ELF-MF lowered pain threshold and elevated NO synthesis in brain and spinal cord. The hyperalgesic effects were blocked by an NOS inhibitor and a Ca2+ channel blocker but not by an NMDA receptor antagonist.

Acute mobile phone effects on pre-attentive operation.

Papageorgiou CC et al. · 2006

Exposure increased the amplitude of P50 evoked by low-frequency stimuli at the Fp1 and O1 electrode leads. Exposure decreased the amplitude of P50 evoked by high-frequency stimuli at the Fp1 electrode lead.

Microwave irradiation affects gene expression in plants.

Vian A et al. · 2006

The study aimed to investigate how microwave irradiation affects gene expression in plants. Researchers used a carefully calibrated system that mimics environmental electromagnetic fields to measure changes in mRNA encoding a stress-related bZIP transcription factor. Exposure to low-amplitude, short-duration 900 MHz EMF evoked a rapid 3.5-fold accumulation of this mRNA, peaking 5–15 minutes after stimulation, similar to mechanical stimulation.

Free Radical Release and HSP70 Expression in Two Human Immune-Relevant Cell Lines after Exposure to 1800 MHz Radiofrequency Radiation.

Lantow M, Schuderer J, Hartwig C, Simko M. · 2006

Heat and PMA treatment significantly increased superoxide radical anions and ROS production in Mono Mac 6 cells. No significant differences in free radical production were detected after RF EMF exposure compared to controls. The GSM-DTX signal at 2 W/kg showed a significant difference versus sham due to a decreasing sham value, but this difference disappeared when compared to incubator controls. No significant effects on HSP70 expression were detected after RF EMF exposures.

Investigation of co-genotoxic effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in vivo.

Verschaeve L et al. · 2006

Researchers investigated combined genotoxic effects of 900 MHz radiofrequency fields and the drinking water mutagen MX in female rats over two years. MX induced DNA damage in rat brain but not in blood or liver cells. Co-exposure to RF fields and MX did not significantly increase DNA damage in blood, liver, or brain compared to MX alone. The study used alkaline comet assay and micronucleus tests on samples taken at multiple time points.

Gene expression changes in human cells after exposure to mobile phone microwaves.

Remondini D et al. · 2006

Researchers exposed six human cell types to 900 and 1800 MHz microwaves and analyzed gene expression using whole-genome cDNA arrays. NB69 neuroblastoma cells, T lymphocytes, and CHME5 microglial cells did not show significant changes in gene expression. EA.hy926 endothelial cells, U937 lymphoblastoma cells, and HL-60 leukemia cells showed between 12 and 34 up- or down-regulated genes. The affected gene families did not indicate a stress response.

Exposure to radiofrequency radiation (900 MHz, GSM signal) does not affect micronucleus frequency and cell proliferation in human peripheral blood lymphocytes: an interlaboratory study.

Scarfi MR et al. · 2006

Researchers exposed human peripheral blood lymphocytes from 10 healthy donors to 900 MHz GSM signals at SARs of 0, 1, 5, and 10 W/kg for 24 hours. The cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay showed no genotoxic or cytotoxic effects across the range of SARs investigated. Two independent laboratories (ENEA Rome and CNR-IREA Naples) each tested five donors and cross-scored slides, confirming the findings.

Exposure of Cultured Astroglial and Microglial Brain Cells to 900 MHz Microwave Radiation.

Thorlin et al. · 2006

Researchers exposed cultured astroglial and microglial cells to 900 MHz microwave radiation at various SARs and durations. They measured markers including interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, glial fibrillary acidic protein, total protein, and ED-1. No significant differences were found for any parameter at any time or radiation characteristic. Total protein levels remained constant and cell morphology appeared unaffected. The study concluded no evidence for effects on damage-related factors in glial cells.

50-Hz extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields 185 enhance cell proliferation and DNA damage: possible involvement of a redox mechanism

Wolf FI et al. · 2005

Researchers exposed HL-60 leukemia cells, Rat-1 fibroblasts, and WI-38 diploid fibroblasts to 0.5-1.0 mT 50-Hz ELF-EMF for 24-72 hours. The treatment caused a dose-dependent increase in proliferation rate, about 30% after 72 hours at 1.0 mT. DNA damage increased dose-dependently with peaks at 24 and 72 hours. Pretreatment with the antioxidant alpha-tocopherol prevented both the proliferation increase and DNA damage, implicating redox mechanisms.

Impact of radio frequency electromagnetic radiation on DNA integrity in the male germline.

Aitken RJ, Bennetts LE, Sawyer D, Wiklendt AM, King BV. · 2005

Researchers exposed mice to 900 MHz RFEMR at a specific absorption rate of approximately 90 mW/kg inside a waveguide for 7 days at 12 h per day. Sperm number, morphology, and vitality were not significantly affected by the exposure. However, detailed DNA analysis using QPCR revealed statistically significant damage to both the mitochondrial genome and the nuclear beta-globin locus.

Oxidative Damage in the Kidney Induced by 900-MHz-Emitted Mobile Phone: Protection by Melatonin

Oktem F, Ozguner F, Mollaoglu H, Koyu A, Uz E. · 2005

Researchers exposed rats to 900-MHz mobile phone radiation for 30 minutes daily over 10 days. Exposure increased kidney tissue malondialdehyde and urine N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase while decreasing superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities. Melatonin administered before each exposure reversed these changes. The authors concluded that melatonin may protect against mobile phone-induced kidney impairment in rats.

Oxidative damage in the kidney induced by 900-MHz-emitted mobile phone: protection by melatonin.

Oktem F, Ozguner F, Mollaoglu H, Koyu A, Uz E · 2005

Researchers exposed rats to 900-MHz cell phone radiation for 30 minutes daily over 10 days and found significant kidney damage through oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules called free radicals). The study showed increased markers of kidney damage and reduced antioxidant defenses, but when rats were given melatonin before exposure, these harmful effects were largely prevented.