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Effect of Exposure to 900 MHz GSM Mobile Phone Radiofrequency Radiation on Estrogen Receptor Methylation Status in Colon Cells of Male Sprague Dawley Rats.

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Mokarram P, Sheikhi M, Mortazavi SMJ, Saeb S, Shokrpour N · 2017

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Cell phone radiation altered cancer-related gene activity in rat colon cells after just 4 hours of exposure.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed male rats to 900 MHz GSM cell phone radiation for 4 hours and found it altered DNA methylation patterns in colon cells, specifically affecting the estrogen receptor gene. DNA methylation is a process that controls gene activity and plays a role in cancer development. This suggests that cell phone radiation may cause epigenetic changes that could potentially increase colorectal cancer risk.

Why This Matters

This study reveals a concerning mechanism by which cell phone radiation may contribute to cancer development. The researchers found that just 4 hours of GSM radiation exposure altered methylation patterns of the estrogen receptor gene in colon tissue. What makes this particularly significant is that these epigenetic changes can persist and potentially lead to abnormal cell growth over time. The 900 MHz frequency tested is identical to what GSM phones use, making these findings directly relevant to everyday cell phone exposure. While this was an animal study with limitations, it adds to the growing body of evidence that radiofrequency radiation can cause biological changes at the cellular level that may increase cancer risk.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 900 MHz GSM Mobile Phone

Study Details

This study aimed to investigate whether epigenetic pattern of ERα is susceptible to RF radiation and if RF radiation can induce radioadaptive response as epigenetic changes after receiving the challenge dose (γ-ray).

40 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 equal groups (Group I: exposure to RF radiation of a...

Our finding showed that exposure to GSM cell phone RF radiation was capable of altering the pattern ...

It can be concluded that exposure to RF radiation emitted by GSM mobile phones can lead to epigenetic detrimental changes in ERα promoter methylation pattern.

Cite This Study
Mokarram P, Sheikhi M, Mortazavi SMJ, Saeb S, Shokrpour N (2017). Effect of Exposure to 900 MHz GSM Mobile Phone Radiofrequency Radiation on Estrogen Receptor Methylation Status in Colon Cells of Male Sprague Dawley Rats. J Biomed Phys Eng. 7(1):79-86, 2017.
Show BibTeX
@article{p_2017_effect_of_exposure_to_2429,
  author = {Mokarram P and Sheikhi M and Mortazavi SMJ and Saeb S and Shokrpour N},
  title = {Effect of Exposure to 900 MHz GSM Mobile Phone Radiofrequency Radiation on Estrogen Receptor Methylation Status in Colon Cells of Male Sprague Dawley Rats.},
  year = {2017},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28451581/},
}
PubMed: 28451581

Cited By (30 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, a 2017 study found that 4 hours of 900 MHz GSM cell phone radiation altered DNA methylation patterns in rat colon cells, specifically affecting the estrogen receptor gene. These epigenetic changes could potentially increase colorectal cancer risk by disrupting normal gene regulation.
Research shows that 900 MHz GSM cell phone radiation can alter DNA methylation patterns in colon cells after just 4 hours of exposure. The study found specific changes to estrogen receptor gene methylation, which controls gene activity and plays a role in cancer development.
A study using male rats found that just 4 hours of exposure to 900 MHz GSM cell phone radiation was sufficient to alter DNA methylation patterns in colon cells. This suggests that relatively short exposures can cause detectable epigenetic changes.
900 MHz GSM radiation causes epigenetic changes by altering DNA methylation patterns, specifically affecting the estrogen receptor gene in colon cells. These changes don't damage DNA directly but modify how genes are expressed, potentially increasing cancer risk through disrupted gene regulation.
Yes, 2017 research demonstrated that 900 MHz GSM cell phone radiation altered the methylation pattern of estrogen receptor genes in rat colon cells after 4-hour exposure. The researchers concluded this represents detrimental epigenetic changes that could affect cellular function.