Cellular Effects

Circadian alterations of reproductive functional markers in male rats exposed to 1800-MHz radiofrequency field.

Qin F et al. · 2014

Plasma thyroid hormones and corticosterone levels in blood of chicken embryos and post hatch chickens exposed during incubation to 1800 MHz electromagnetic field.

Pawlak K, Sechman A, Nieckarz Z. · 2014

Mobile Phone Radiation Alters Proliferation of Hepatocarcinoma Cells.

Ozgur E, Guler G, Kismali G, Seyhan N · 2014

Researchers exposed Hep G2 hepatocarcinoma cells to intermittent 900- and 1800-MHz radiofrequency radiation at a specific absorption rate of 2 W/kg for 1, 2, 3, or 4 hours. Cell viability changed according to the frequency and duration of the exposure. Four-hour exposure produced more pronounced effects than shorter durations. 1800-MHz radiation had a larger impact on cell viability and injury than 900-MHz radiation. Morphological analysis showed irregular nuclei and DNA damage after 4 hours of 1800-MHz exposure.

Exposure of mice to 900-1900 MHz radiations from cell phone resulting in microscopic changes in the kidney

Mugunthan N, Anbalagan J, Meenachi S, Samy AS. · 2014

Mice were exposed to 2G ultra-high frequency radiation for 48 minutes per day over 30 to 180 days, with sham controls. In the exposed group, kidney weight and volume were significantly reduced in the first month, while kidney weight alone was significantly increased in the fifth month. Microscopic examination revealed dilated glomerular capillaries, increased urinary space, wider tubular lumens with reduced cell size, brush border interruption, vacuolated cytoplasm, pyknotic nuclei, and marked basal striations in distal tubules. The researchers concluded that chronic exposure to 2G cell phone radiation could cause microscopic changes in the glomerulus, proximal and distal convoluted tubules.

Drosophila oogenesis as a bio-marker responding to EMF sources

Margaritis LH et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed newly emerged flies daily for 3-7 days to various EMF sources including mobile phone, DECT, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and others. All EMF sources produced statistically significant effects on fecundity and apoptotic cell death, even at very low intensity levels such as 0.3 V/m from Bluetooth. The study found no linear cumulative effect when increasing exposure duration or combining sources, and discussed the role of average versus peak electric field values.

Calreticulin Protects Rat Microvascular Endothelial Cells against Microwave Radiation-induced Injury by Attenuating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress.

Li WH, Li YZ, Song DD, Wang XR, Liu M, Wu XD, Liu XH. · 2014

Researchers pretreated rat MMECs with CRT (25 pg/mL) for 12 hours then exposed them to 2.856 GHz radiation at 30 mW/cm2 for six minutes. Microwave radiation increased LDH leakage, apoptosis rate, and decreased cell viability in MMECs. Microwave radiation also induced ER stress characterized by increased GRP78 and CRT expression and upregulation of CHOP and Bax with downregulation of Bcl-2. Exogenous CRT pretreatment attenuated MR-induced apoptosis, LDH leakage, ER stress, and ER stress-related apoptotic signaling.

Impact of 60-GHz millimeter waves and corresponding heat effect on endoplasmic reticulum stress sensor gene expression.

Le Quément C et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed human skin cell lines to 60.4 GHz millimeter waves at incident power densities ranging from 1 to 20 mW/cm(2). The expression of ER stress sensors BIP and ORP150 was examined by real-time RT-PCR. MMW radiation did not change basal levels of BIP or ORP150 mRNA across any cell line, exposure duration, or power density. At 20 mW/cm(2), MMW exposure inhibited thapsigargin-induced overexpression of BIP and ORP150. This inhibition was attributed to thermal effects from the MMW exposure.

Effect of a 2.45-GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field on neutrophil chemotaxis and phagocytosis in differentiated human HL-60 cells.

Koyama S et al. · 2014

Researchers examined the effect of 2.45-GHz radiofrequency fields at SARs of 2 and 10 W/kg for 4 and 24 hours on neutrophil chemotaxis and phagocytosis in differentiated human HL-60 cells. Neutrophil chemotaxis was not affected by radiofrequency field exposure, and phagocytosis was not affected either compared with sham exposure conditions. Exposure at an SAR under 10 W/kg showed very little or no effects on either chemotaxis or phagocytosis.

Selenium Reduces Mobile Phone (900 MHz)-Induced Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Function, and Apoptosis in Breast Cancer Cells.

Kahya MC, Nazıroğlu M, Ciğ B. · 2014

Researchers studied the effects of 900 MHz radiation on oxidative stress, apoptosis, and mitochondrial depolarization in a breast cancer cell line. Cells were exposed to 900 MHz radiation for 1 hour at a SAR value of 0.36 ± 0.02 W/kg, and some groups were also incubated with sodium selenite before exposure.

Invitro effects of low intensity 1.8 GHz radiofrequency radiation on human peripheral blood leukocytes from healthy donors: A morphometric and morphological study.

Jirillo E et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed 108 samples of human leukocytes from healthy donors to electromagnetic radiation at different intensities using a reverberation chamber. Exposure times ranged from 5 minutes to 24 hours, and sham-exposed blood samples from the same donors served as controls. In 68% of the 108 cases, an increase in leukocyte cell area was found along with morphological changes, while in 14% a decrease in cell area was observed. In 18% of cases, no effects dependent on the radiation were detected.

In vivo analysis of THz wave irradiation induced acute inflammatory response in skin by laser-scanning confocal microscopy.

Hwang Y, Ahn J, Mun J, Bae S, Jeong YU, Vinokurov NA, Kim P. · 2014

Researchers irradiated the ear skin of a live anesthetized mouse with pulsed THz waves and monitored the response at the cellular level using intravital laser-scanning confocal microscopy. The pulsed THz wave used was 2.7 THz with a 4 μs pulsewidth, 61.4 μJ per pulse, at a 3 Hz repetition rate, applied at an average power of 260 mW/cm2 for 30 minutes. No temperature change was detected at the skin surface, while a massive recruitment of newly infiltrated neutrophils was observed in the irradiated area after 6 hours.

Microwave effect on diffusion: a possible mechanism for non-thermal effect.

Hinrikus H, Lass J, Karai D, Pilt K, Bachmann M. · 2014

Researchers tested whether microwave radiation could affect how a salt solution diffuses through water at constant temperature. The setup used two reservoirs, one filled with pure water and one with 0.9% NaCl solution, connected by a thin tube, with a 450 MHz continuous-wave microwave field applied at a maximal specific absorption rate of 0.4 W/kg on the connecting tube. Microwave exposure made the diffusion process faster, with the time required for a 10% reduction in initial resistance of the solution being 1.7 times shorter with microwave exposure.

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Contribution of Thermal and the Specific Effects in Cellular Response to Millimeter Wave Exposure.

Habauzit D et al. · 2014

Researchers used a whole gene expression approach to assess the effect of acute 60 GHz exposure on primary cultures of human keratinocytes. Exposure led to an increase of temperature and a strong modification of keratinocyte gene expression, with 665 genes differentially expressed. When temperature was artificially kept constant, no modification in gene expression was observed after millimeter wave exposure. A heat shock control did not mimic exactly the millimeter wave effect, suggesting a slight but specific electromagnetic effect under hyperthermia conditions, with 34 genes differentially expressed.

Modifying Effects of Low-Intensity Extremely High-Frequency Electromagnetic Radiation on Content and Composition of Fatty Acids in Thymus of Mice Exposed to X-Rays.

Gapeyev AB, Aripovsky AV, Kulagina TP. · 2014

Researchers studied whether extremely high-frequency electromagnetic radiation (EHF EMR) could modify fatty acid content and composition in the thymus of mice also exposed to X-rays. Mice were exposed to low-intensity pulse-modulated EHF EMR at 42.2 GHz and/or X-rays at a dose of 4 Gy, with measurements taken at several time points up to 40 days after exposure. X-irradiation alone significantly increased total fatty acid content in thymic tissue within 4 to 5 hours and decreased it at 10 and 30 days, while thymus weight remained significantly reduced on days 30 and 40. When EHF EMR was applied before or after X-irradiation, changes in total fatty acid content were prevented and thymus weight restoration was promoted by day 40.

Long term and excessive use of 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation alter microrna expression in brain.

Dasdag S et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed rats to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation for 3 hours per day, 7 days a week, for 12 months to study effects on microRNA in brain tissue. The study found that rno-miR107 was decreased in exposed rats, while rno-miR-9-5p, rno-miR-29a-3p, rno-miR-106b-5p, and rno-miR-125a-3p were not altered.

Effects of microwave exposure and Gemcitabine treatment on apoptotic activity in Burkitt's lymphoma (Raji) cells.

Canseven AG, Esmekaya MA, Kayhan H, Tuysuz MZ, Seyhan N. · 2014

Raji cells were exposed to microwave radiation at a specific absorption rate of 0.350 W/kg for 24 hours. Microwave exposure alone significantly increased apoptotic activity and significantly decreased cell viability, and combined exposure with Gemcitabine increased apoptotic cells further than microwave radiation alone.

Effects of 900 MHz Radiofrequency Radiation on Skin Hydroxyproline Contents.

Cam ST, Seyhan N, Kavaklı C, Celikbıçak O. · 2014

The study investigated whether pulse-modulated radiofrequency radiation affects hydroxyproline content in rat skin, because skin is described as the first target of external electromagnetic fields. Two-month-old male Wistar rats were exposed to 900 MHz pulse-modulated radiofrequency radiation at an average whole-body SAR of 1.35 W/kg for 20 min/day for 3 weeks. Exposure caused a statistically significant increase in skin hydroxyproline level (p = 0.049), at a SAR below the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection safety limit.

The effect of 900 and 1800MHz GSM-like radiofrequency irradiation and nicotine sulfate administration on the embryonic development of Xenopus laevis.

Boga A et al. · 2014

Researchers investigated the effects of GSM-like radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation and nicotine sulfate exposure on the embryonic development of Xenopus laevis (African clawed frogs). With the exception of the 1800 MHz exposure, radiofrequency radiation alone was not associated with dramatic developmental anomalies. The combined effects of radiofrequency radiation and nicotine sulfate on the embryos were more severe than the effect of either exposure alone.

Extra-low-frequency magnetic fields alter cancer cells through metabolic restriction

Ying Li and Paul Heroux · 2014

Researchers exposed five cancer cell lines to extra-low-frequency magnetic fields in the range of 0.025 to 5 µT and examined them for karyotype changes after 6 days. All cancer cell lines lost chromosomes from magnetic field exposure, with a mostly flat dose-response. The researchers suggest these karyotype contractions are caused by magnetic field interference with mitochondria's adenosine triphosphate synthase, compensated by the action of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase. Constant magnetic field exposures for three weeks allowed a rising return to baseline, unperturbed karyotypes, but small increases or decreases in field strength were again capable of inducing karyotype contractions.

Effects of the static and ELF magnetic fields on the neuronal population activity in Morimus funereus (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) antennal lobe revealed by wavelet analysis.

Spasić S, Kesić S, Stojadinović G, Petković B, Todorović D. · 2014

Researchers studied the effects of a static magnetic field (SMF, 2 mT) and an extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF MF, 50 Hz, 2 mT) on neuronal population activity in adult longhorn beetles Morimus funereus. The effects of prolonged and repeated ELF MF exposure on local field potentials were irreversible within the investigated time frame. The researchers did not prove with the methods used that exposure to the SMF for 5 min produces any effects on neuronal population activity.

The morphological and molecular changes of brain cells exposed to direct current electric field stimulation.

Pelletier SJ et al. · 2014

Researchers tested various intensities of direct current electric fields (0, 25, 50, and 100V/m) on neurons, microglia, and astrocytes in a controlled laboratory setting. Neurons developed an elongated cell body shape with neurite outgrowth associated with a significant increase in growth associated protein-43. BV2 microglial cells showed distinct morphological changes with an increase in cyclooxygenase-2 expression, and these changes depended on whether the cells had already been activated with lipopolysaccharide. Astrocytes displayed elongated cell bodies with cellular filopodia that were oriented perpendicularly to the direct current electric field.

Neuroprotective effect of weak static magnetic fields in primary neuronal cultures.

Ben Yakir-Blumkin M, Loboda Y, Schächter L, Finberg JP. · 2014

Synaptosomal acetylcholinesterase activity variation pattern in the presence of electromagnetic fields.

Afrasiabi A et al. · 2014

Researchers prepared synaptosome suspensions from the cerebral cortex of sheep brain and exposed them to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs). The exposures tested frequencies from 50 Hz to 230 Hz, flux intensities from 0.1 mT to 1.7 mT, and durations between 15 and 120 min. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was measured by the Ellman method, and the data were analyzed using neural network based software, Inform 4.02, to predict activity patterns through nine 3D curves. AChE activity was found to decrease at field intensities of 1.2 mT to 1.7 mT and frequencies of 50 Hz to 90 Hz.

Adaptive Response in Mice Exposed to 900 MHz Radiofrequency Fields: Bleomycin-induced DNA and Oxidative Damage/Repair.

Zong C, Ji Y, He Q, Zhu S, Qin F, Tong J, Cao Y. · 2014

Researchers exposed adult mice to 900 MHz radiofrequency fields at 120 μW/cm2 power density for 4 hours per day for 7 days, then injected some mice with bleomycin. Radiofrequency exposure alone showed no indications of increased DNA or oxidative damage compared to mice treated with bleomycin alone. Mice exposed to radiofrequency fields and then given bleomycin showed significantly reduced DNA damage at each repair time point measured, as well as decreased MDA levels and increased SOD levels.

Effects of 940 MHz EMF on bioluminescence and oxidative response of stable luciferase producing HEK cells.

Sefidbakht Y et al. · 2014

Researchers exposed HEK293T cells carrying a firefly luciferase gene to 940 MHz RF-EMF at a mean specific absorption rate of approximately 0.09 W kg-1. The effects of exposure durations of 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 minutes on luciferase activity and oxidative response elements were investigated. Luciferase activity was reduced after 30 and 45 minutes of continuous exposure, while after 60 minutes the exposed cells showed higher luciferase activity compared with non-exposed controls. ROS generation was highest in the 30-minute exposed cells, followed by a sharp rise in catalase and superoxide dismutase activity and elevation of glutathione during the 45-minute exposure.