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Mutagenic and morphologic impacts of 1.8GHz radiofrequency radiation on human peripheral blood lymphocytes (hPBLs) and possible protective role of pre-treatment with Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761)

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Esmekaya MA, Aytekin E, Ozgur E, Güler G, Ergun MA, Omeroğlu S, Seyhan N. · 2011

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1.8GHz GSM radiofrequency radiation induced chromosomal damage in human blood lymphocytes, but this damage may be reduced by Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761) pre-treatment.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers investigated the mutagenic and morphologic effects of 1.8GHz GSM radiofrequency radiation, alone and combined with Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761) pre-treatment, in human peripheral blood lymphocytes using Sister Chromatid Exchange and electron microscopy. There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in Sister Chromatid Exchange frequency in RF-exposed lymphocytes compared to sham controls. RF radiation also inhibited cell viability in a time-dependent manner, and EGb 761 pre-treatment significantly increased cell viability at 8 and 24 hours compared to RF-exposed groups alone.

Why This Matters

The lymphocyte cultures were exposed to GSM modulated RF radiation at 1.8GHz for 6, 8, 24 and 48 hours, with and without EGb 761 pre-treatment. Electron microscopy revealed morphological changes in the RF-radiated lymphocytes, and longer exposure periods led to destruction of organelle and nucleus structures. Chromatin change and loss of mitochondrial crista occurred in cells exposed to RF for 8 and 24 hours, and were more pronounced in cells exposed for 48 hours. Cytoplasmic lysis and destruction of membrane integrity of cells and nuclei were also seen in 48-hour RF-exposed cells. EGb 761 pre-treatment significantly decreased Sister Chromatid Exchange frequency from RF radiation, and the researchers described EGb 761 as having a protective role against RF-induced mutagenicity.

Exposure Details

SAR
0.21 W/kg
Source/Device
1.8GHz
Exposure Duration
6, 8, 24 and 48h

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 0.21 W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 8 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 1.80 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 1.80 GHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The mutagenic and morphologic effects of 1.8GHz Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) modulated RF (radiofrequency) radiation alone and in combination with Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761) pre-treatment in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (hPBLs) were investigated in this study using Sister Chromatid Exchange (SCE) and electron microscopy.

Cell viability was assessed with 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT...

We observed morphological changes in pulse-modulated RF radiated lymphocytes. Longer exposure period...

We concluded that RF radiation induces chromosomal damage in hPBLs but this damage may be reduced by EGb 761 pre-treatment.

Cite This Study
Esmekaya MA, Aytekin E, Ozgur E, Güler G, Ergun MA, Omeroğlu S, Seyhan N. (2011). Mutagenic and morphologic impacts of 1.8GHz radiofrequency radiation on human peripheral blood lymphocytes (hPBLs) and possible protective role of pre-treatment with Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761) Sci Total Environ. 2011 Dec 1;410-411:59-64. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.09.036. Epub 2011 Oct 19. PMID: 22014767.
Show BibTeX
@article{ma_2011_mutagenic_and_morphologic_impacts_1063,
  author = {Esmekaya MA and Aytekin E and Ozgur E and Güler G and Ergun MA and Omeroğlu S and Seyhan N.},
  title = {Mutagenic and morphologic impacts of 1.8GHz radiofrequency radiation on human peripheral blood lymphocytes (hPBLs) and possible protective role of pre-treatment with Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761)},
  year = {2011},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22014767/},
}
PubMed: 22014767

Cited By (37 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

The study used human peripheral blood lymphocytes.
Chromosomal damage was measured using Sister Chromatid Exchange frequency, and morphological changes were observed with electron microscopy.
RF radiation inhibited cell viability in a time-dependent manner, and the inhibitory effects on the growth of lymphocytes were marked in longer exposure periods.
The researchers concluded that RF radiation induces chromosomal damage in human peripheral blood lymphocytes, but this damage may be reduced by EGb 761 pre-treatment.
Cytoplasmic lysis and destruction of membrane integrity of cells and nuclei were seen in 48-hour RF-exposed cells.