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Cell phone use is associated with an inflammatory cytokine profile of parotid gland saliva.

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Siqueira EC, de Souza FT, Ferreira E, Souza RP, Macedo SC, Friedman E, Gomez MV, Gomes CC, Gomez RS · 2016

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Cell phone use creates measurable inflammatory changes in nearby tissue, with effects becoming more pronounced after 10+ years of use.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers analyzed saliva from the parotid glands (located near the jaw) in 83 people who regularly use cell phones, comparing the side exposed to phone radiation with the unexposed side. They found that the exposed side showed signs of inflammation, with decreased levels of an anti-inflammatory protein and increased levels of a pro-inflammatory protein. The inflammatory changes were more pronounced in people who had used cell phones for over 10 years, suggesting cumulative effects from long-term exposure.

Why This Matters

This study provides compelling biological evidence that cell phone radiation creates measurable inflammatory changes in human tissue, even at the exposure levels we encounter during normal phone use. The researchers used an elegant design by comparing each person's exposed and unexposed parotid glands, essentially making each participant their own control. What makes this particularly significant is that inflammation is a key driver of many chronic diseases, from cancer to cardiovascular problems. The finding that people with over 10 years of cell phone use showed greater inflammatory differences suggests these effects may accumulate over time. While the study authors suggest heat might be the mechanism, other research indicates that non-thermal biological effects from radiofrequency radiation can trigger inflammatory responses. This adds to a growing body of evidence showing that our bodies respond to cell phone radiation in ways that could have long-term health implications.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Study Details

There is controversy on the effects of the non-ionizing radiation emitted by cell phones on cellular processes and the impact of such radiation exposure on health. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether cell phone use alters cytokine expression in the saliva produced by the parotid glands.

Cytokine expression profile was determined by enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) in the sal...

The following parameters were determined, in 83 Brazilian individuals in saliva produced by the paro...

The exposure of parotid glands to cell phones can alter salivary IL-10 and IL-1β levels, consistent with a pro-inflammatory microenvironment that may be related to heat production.

Cite This Study
Siqueira EC, de Souza FT, Ferreira E, Souza RP, Macedo SC, Friedman E, Gomez MV, Gomes CC, Gomez RS (2016). Cell phone use is associated with an inflammatory cytokine profile of parotid gland saliva. J Oral Pathol Med. 2016 Feb 14. doi: 10.1111/jop.12434.
Show BibTeX
@article{ec_2016_cell_phone_use_is_2602,
  author = {Siqueira EC and de Souza FT and Ferreira E and Souza RP and Macedo SC and Friedman E and Gomez MV and Gomes CC and Gomez RS},
  title = {Cell phone use is associated with an inflammatory cytokine profile of parotid gland saliva.},
  year = {2016},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26876491/},
}
PubMed: 26876491

Cited By (16 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Research shows cell phone radiation can trigger inflammation in parotid glands near your jaw. A 2016 study found the side of your face exposed to phone radiation had decreased anti-inflammatory proteins and increased inflammatory markers compared to the unexposed side.
Yes, cell phone use affects saliva production in parotid glands. Brazilian researchers found that glands exposed to phone radiation showed inflammatory changes, with altered protein levels that create a pro-inflammatory environment potentially linked to heat production from radiation.
Long-term cell phone use appears to increase inflammatory effects. People who used phones for over 10 years showed greater inflammatory changes in their parotid glands, suggesting cumulative damage from prolonged radiation exposure to facial tissues.
Cell phones may increase inflammation risk in tissues near your ear and jaw. Research detected measurable inflammatory changes in parotid glands on the phone-exposed side, with decreased protective proteins and increased inflammatory markers that could affect long-term tissue health.
Phone radiation alters immune system proteins in saliva, creating inflammatory conditions. Studies show radiation exposure decreases IL-10 (anti-inflammatory protein) while increasing IL-1β (pro-inflammatory protein), disrupting the normal balance that protects tissues from inflammation and potential damage.