6,486 Studies Reviewed. 85.2% of Original Studies Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
Shield Your Body
DNA & Genetic Damage251 citations

Melatonin and a spin-trap compound block radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation-induced DNA strand breaks in rat brain cells.

Bioeffects Seen

Lai, H, Singh, NP, · 1997

View Original Abstract
Share:

Melatonin and a spin-trap compound each blocked radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation-induced DNA strand breaks in rat brain cells.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers investigated the effects of microwave exposure on DNA strand breaks in rat brain cells. They found that treating rats with either melatonin or the spin-trap compound PBN immediately before and after radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation exposure blocked the DNA strand breaks. Because both substances are free radical scavengers, the researchers hypothesized that free radicals are involved in the radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation-induced DNA damage.

Why This Matters

Melatonin was given at 1 mg/kg per injection under the skin, while PBN was given at 100 mg/kg per injection into the abdomen, with both treatments applied immediately before and after exposure. The researchers hypothesized that free radicals are involved in radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation-induced DNA damage in rat brain cells, because both melatonin and PBN are efficient free radical scavengers. The researchers noted that cumulated DNA strand breaks in brain cells can lead to neurodegenerative diseases and cancer, and that an excess of free radicals in cells has been suggested to be the cause of various human diseases. The researchers stated that the data could have important implications for the health effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation exposure.

Exposure Details

SAR
1.2 W/kg
Power Density
2 mW/cm²
Source/Device
2.45 GHz
Exposure Duration
continuous for 2 h

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 aim of this study is to observe Melatonin and a spin-trap compound block radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation-induced DNA strand breaks in rat brain cells

Effects of in vivo microwave exposure on DNA strand breaks, a form of DNA damage, were investigated ...

we found that treatment of rats immediately before and after RFR exposure with either melatonin (1 m...

Data from this study could have important implications for the health effects of RFR exposure.

Cite This Study
Lai, H, Singh, NP, (1997). Melatonin and a spin-trap compound block radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation-induced DNA strand breaks in rat brain cells. Bioelectromagnetics 18(6):446-454, 1997.
Show BibTeX
@article{lai_1997_melatonin_and_a_spintrap_542,
  author = {Lai and H and Singh and NP and},
  title = {Melatonin and a spin-trap compound block radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation-induced DNA strand breaks in rat brain cells.},
  year = {1997},
  doi = {10.1002/(SICI)1521-186X(1997)18:6%3C446::AID-BEM7%3E3.0.CO;2-2},
  url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/(SICI)1521-186X(1997)18:6%3C446::AID-BEM7%3E3.0.CO;2-2},
}
DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1521-186X(1997)18:6%3C446::AID-BEM7%3E3.0.CO;2-2

Quick Questions About This Study

The study investigated DNA strand breaks, described as a form of DNA damage, in rat brain cells.
Treatment with melatonin at 1 mg/kg per injection immediately before and after radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation exposure blocked the DNA strand breaks in rat brain cells.
Because both melatonin and PBN are efficient free radical scavengers, the researchers hypothesized that free radicals are involved in radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation-induced DNA damage in rat brain cells.
The researchers stated that the data could have important implications for the health effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation exposure.
The researchers noted that cumulated DNA strand breaks in brain cells can lead to neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.