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Effect of mobile phone use on salivary concentrations of protein, amylase, lipase, immunoglobulin A, lysozyme, lactoferrin, peroxidase and C-reactive protein of the parotid gland.

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Hashemipour MS, Yarbakht M, Gholamhosseinian A, Famori H. · 2014

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Mobile phone use appears to alter salivary gland function on the side where phones are held, potentially affecting oral health defenses.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers examined saliva from 86 people to see if mobile phone use affected the parotid glands (major salivary glands near the ears). They found that people who predominantly held phones on their right side had higher protein levels and saliva flow on that same side, while levels of important enzymes like amylase and lysozyme decreased. This suggests that radiofrequency radiation from phones may alter the normal function of salivary glands closest to where the phone is held.

Why This Matters

This study adds to growing evidence that EMF exposure creates measurable biological changes in tissues closest to our devices. The parotid glands sit right where we hold our phones during calls, making them prime targets for radiofrequency exposure. What's particularly telling is the side-specific pattern - changes occurred on the same side where people typically held their phones, strongly suggesting a direct relationship rather than coincidence. The decrease in protective enzymes like lysozyme and lactoferrin is concerning, as these proteins help defend against bacteria and maintain oral health. While the researchers noted the relationship wasn't statistically significant, the consistent pattern across multiple biomarkers suggests our salivary glands are responding to phone radiation in ways we're only beginning to understand.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Study Details

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of mobile phone use on parotid gland salivary concentrations of protein, amylase, lipase, immunoglobulin A, lysozyme, lactoferrin, peroxidase and C-reactive protein.

Stimulated salivary samples were collected simultaneously from both parotid glands of 86 healthy vol...

Salivary flow rate and parotid gland salivary concentrations of protein were significantly higher on...

The side of dominant mobile phone use was associated with differences in salivary flow rate and parotid gland salivary concentrations, in right-dominant users. Although mobile phone use influenced salivary composition, the relationship was not significant.

Cite This Study
Hashemipour MS, Yarbakht M, Gholamhosseinian A, Famori H. (2014). Effect of mobile phone use on salivary concentrations of protein, amylase, lipase, immunoglobulin A, lysozyme, lactoferrin, peroxidase and C-reactive protein of the parotid gland. J Laryngol Otol. 2014 Apr 17:1-9.
Show BibTeX
@article{ms_2014_effect_of_mobile_phone_2184,
  author = {Hashemipour MS and Yarbakht M and Gholamhosseinian A and Famori H.},
  title = {Effect of mobile phone use on salivary concentrations of protein, amylase, lipase, immunoglobulin A, lysozyme, lactoferrin, peroxidase and C-reactive protein of the parotid gland.},
  year = {2014},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24739140/},
}
PubMed: 24739140

Cited By (17 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, research shows cell phone radiation can alter salivary gland function. A 2014 study found that people who held phones predominantly on their right side had higher protein levels and saliva flow on that side, plus decreased levels of important enzymes like amylase and lysozyme.
Research suggests it might affect your salivary glands. A study of 86 people found that those who predominantly used phones on their right side showed measurable changes in saliva composition and flow rate on that same side compared to the left side.
Mobile phone use may alter normal saliva production near your ears. Research found that radiofrequency radiation from phones can change the protein levels and enzyme concentrations in saliva produced by parotid glands, though the long-term health implications remain unclear.
Cell phone radiation appears to increase saliva flow and protein levels while decreasing important enzymes. A 2014 study found that people's dominant phone-use side showed higher salivary flow rates but lower concentrations of protective enzymes like lysozyme and lactoferrin.
Phone radiation can measurably alter salivary gland function. Research demonstrates that the parotid glands near your ears respond to radiofrequency exposure by changing their output of proteins, enzymes, and overall saliva flow rates on the side where phones are typically held.