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).
Esmekaya MA, Aytekin E, Ozgur E, Güler G, Ergun MA, Omeroğlu S, Seyhan N. · 2011
View Original AbstractCell phone radiation damaged human DNA and destroyed cellular structures in laboratory tests, but Ginkgo biloba extract provided significant protection.
Plain English Summary
Turkish researchers exposed human blood cells to 1.8GHz cell phone radiation for up to 48 hours and found significant genetic damage, including broken chromosomes and destroyed cell structures. However, when cells were pre-treated with Ginkgo biloba extract, much of this damage was prevented. The study suggests that cell phone radiation can harm our DNA, but natural antioxidants might offer some protection.
Why This Matters
This research adds to the mounting evidence that radiofrequency radiation at levels used by mobile phones can cause direct genetic damage to human cells. The 1.8GHz frequency tested here is identical to what GSM cell phones use, making these findings directly relevant to everyday exposure. What makes this study particularly compelling is the dose-response relationship - longer exposures caused progressively more severe damage, from chromosomal breaks at 6-8 hours to complete cellular destruction at 48 hours. The protective effect of Ginkgo biloba is intriguing, suggesting that antioxidants may help mitigate RF-induced cellular stress. While we can't extrapolate directly from laboratory cell cultures to human health outcomes, this study reinforces concerns about chronic low-level exposure from devices we use daily. The reality is that our cells are experiencing similar radiation exposures, though typically at lower intensities over much longer periods.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 1.8GHz Duration: 6, 8, 24 and 48h with and without EGb 761
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.
Show BibTeX
@article{ma_2011_mutagenic_and_morphologic_impacts_2068,
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/},
}