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DNA & Genetic Damage

Naltrexone blocks RFR-induced DNA double strand breaks in rat brain cells

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Lai H, Carino MA, Singh NP · 1997

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Exposure to radiofrequency radiation significantly increased DNA double strand breaks in rat brain cells, and this effect was partially blocked by the opioid antagonist naltrexone.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed rats to 2450 MHz pulsed radiofrequency radiation at a power density of 2 mW/cm2 for 2 hours and then measured DNA double strand breaks in brain cells. The RFR exposure significantly increased DNA double strand breaks in rat brain cells, and the effect was partially blocked by naltrexone treatment. The researchers concluded that endogenous opioids play a mediating role in RFR-induced DNA strand breaks in brain cells of the rat.

Why This Matters

The study investigated whether endogenous opioids are involved in radiofrequency radiation-induced DNA strand breaks. Naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, was given at 1 mg/kg immediately before and after the 2-hour radiation exposure. DNA double strand breaks were measured at 4 hours after exposure using a microgel electrophoresis assay. Because naltrexone only partially blocked the effect, the data suggest that endogenous opioids mediate part, but not all, of the RFR-induced DNA strand break response.

Exposure Details

SAR
1.2 W/kg
Power Density
2 mW/cm²
Source/Device
2450 MHz pulsed (2 µs pulses, 500 pps)
Exposure Duration
2h

Exposure Context

This study used 2 mW/cm² for radio frequency:

This study used 1.2 W/kg for SAR (device absorption):

Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 2 mW/cm²Extreme Concern - 1,000 µW/m²FCC Limit - 10M µW/m²Effects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)This level is 2 times the FCC limit
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 2.45 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 2.45 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The present experiment was carried out to investigate whether endogenous opioids are also involved in RFR‐induced DNA strand breaks.

Rats were treated with the opioid antagonist naltrexone (1 mg/kg, IP) immediately before and after e...

Results showed that the RFR exposure significantly increased DNA double strand breaks in brain cells...

Thus, these data indicate that endogenous opioids play a mediating role in RFR‐induced DNA strand breaks in brain cells of the rat.

Cite This Study
Lai H, Carino MA, Singh NP (1997). Naltrexone blocks RFR-induced DNA double strand breaks in rat brain cells Wireless Networks 3:471-476, 1997.
Show BibTeX
@article{h_1997_naltrexone_blocks_rfrinduced_dna_51,
  author = {Lai H and Carino MA and Singh NP},
  title = {Naltrexone blocks RFR-induced DNA double strand breaks in rat brain cells},
  year = {1997},
  doi = {10.1023/A:1019154611749},
  url = {http://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1019154611749},
}
DOI: 10.1023/A:1019154611749

Cited By (16 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Rats were exposed to 2450 MHz pulsed radiofrequency radiation at a power density of 2 mW/cm2.
The rats were exposed for 2 hours, and DNA strand breaks were measured 4 hours after exposure.
Treatment with naltrexone partially blocked the increase in DNA double strand breaks caused by RFR exposure.
The researchers indicated that endogenous opioids play a mediating role in RFR-induced DNA strand breaks in brain cells of the rat.
DNA double strand breaks were assayed in brain cells using a microgel electrophoresis assay.