Cellular Effects

900 MHz radiation does not induce micronucleus formation in different cell types.

Hintzsche H et al. · 2012

Study of p53 expression and post-transcriptional modifications after GSM-900 radiofrequency exposure of human amniotic cells.

Bourthoumieu S et al. · 2012

Researchers exposed human amniotic cells to GSM-900 radiofrequency fields for 24 hours at SARs of 0.25, 1, 2, and 4 W/kg. They measured p53 protein expression and phosphorylation at serine 15 and 37 using Western blot after three independent exposures from three donors. No significant changes in p53 expression or activation were found at any of the tested SARs up to 4 W/kg in human embryonic cells. Bleomycin-exposed cells served as a positive control.

Effects of 837 and 1950 MHz radiofrequency radiation exposure alone or combined on oxidative stress in MCF10A cells.

Hong MN et al. · 2012

Researchers exposed human MCF10A mammary epithelial cells to single frequencies of 837 MHz or 1950 MHz, or both frequencies together, at a SAR of 4 W/kg for 2 hours while maintaining isothermal temperature. They measured intracellular ROS, SOD enzyme activity, and GSH/GSSG ratio and found no statistically significant alterations from either single or multiple RF radiation exposures. Ionizing radiation used as a positive control showed evident changes in all measured endpoints. The results indicate that single or multiple RF radiation exposure did not elicit oxidative stress in MCF10A cells under these conditions.

In vitro exposure of human osteoarthritic chondrocytes to ELF fields and new therapeutic application of musically modulated electromagnetic fields: biological evidence

Vannoni D et al. · 2012

Researchers cultured isolated human osteoarthritic chondrocytes in vitro, some stimulated with IL-1beta or IGF-1 to mimic osteoarthritis imbalance. The cells were exposed to extremely low frequency (100 Hz) electromagnetic fields and to Therapeutic Application of Musically Modulated Electromagnetic Fields (TAMMEF) with variable frequencies, intensities, and waveforms. Using flow cytometry, they tested effects on chondrocyte metabolism. Exposure to both systems enhanced cell proliferation and did not generate reactive oxygen species, cause glutathione depletion, change mitochondrial transmembrane potential, or induce apoptosis.

Combined effects of 60 Hz electromagnetic field exposure with various stress factors on cellular transformation in NIH3T3 cells.

Lee HJ, Jin YB, Lee JS, Choi JI, Lee JW, Myung SH, Lee YS. · 2012

NIH3T3 cells were exposed to a 60 Hz ELF-MF at 1 mT for 4 hours, alone or with ionizing radiation, hydrogen peroxide, or c-Myc overexpression. A 4 hour exposure to ELF-MF alone produced no cell transformation. ELF-MF exposure did not influence the transformation activity of ionizing radiation, hydrogen peroxide, or activated c-Myc, indicating no additive or synergistic effects.

Effects on micronuclei formation of 60-Hz electromagnetic field exposure with ionizing radiation, hydrogen peroxide, or c-Myc overexpression.

Jin YB et al. · 2012

Researchers exposed mouse NIH3T3 and human WI-38 fibroblast cells to a 60 Hz, 1 mT magnetic field for 4 hours, with or without ionizing radiation, hydrogen peroxide, or c-Myc activation. Cells exposed to the magnetic field alone showed no significant difference in micronucleus frequency compared to unexposed cells. No synergistic effects were observed when the magnetic field was combined with ionizing radiation, hydrogen peroxide, or c-Myc activation.

Extremely low frequency magnetic fields do not elicit oxidative stress in MCF10A cells.

Hong MN et al. · 2012

Researchers exposed MCF10A human breast epithelial cells to 1 mT of 60 Hz ELF-MF for 4 hours and measured intracellular ROS level, SOD activity, and GSH/GSSG ratio. The ELF-MF exposed cells showed no statistically significant changes in these parameters compared to incubator controls or sham-exposed cells. In contrast, ionizing radiation exposed cells showed marked changes in ROS level, SOD activity, and GSH/GSSG ratio, and were positive for morphological changes and SA-β-Gal activity.

Effects of electromagnetic radiation produced by 3G mobile phones on rat brains: Magnetic resonance spectroscopy, biochemical, and histopathological evaluation

Dogan M et al. · 2012

Rats were randomly assigned to an exposed group (n=9) and a control group (n=9), with the exposed group subjected to electromagnetic radiation for 20 days. Researchers measured choline, creatinin, and N-acetylaspartate levels by magnetic resonance spectroscopy, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities by spectrophotometry, and apoptosis by histopathology. No significant differences were found in NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, or NAA/Cho ratios between the exposed and control groups. Oxidative stress parameters and apoptotic cell counts also showed no significant differences between groups.

Cancer cell proliferation is inhibited by specific modulation frequencies

Zimmerman JW et al. · 2012

The modulation frequencies were previously identified by biofeedback methods in cancer patients. HCC-specific and breast cancer-specific frequencies significantly decreased growth of respective cancer cells but did not affect nonmalignant cells.

Microwave electromagnetic field regulates gene expression in T-lymphoblastoid leukemia CCRF-CEM cell line exposed to 900 MHz.

Trivino Pardo JC, Grimaldi S, Taranta M, Naldi I, Cinti C. · 2012

Researchers cultured acute T-lymphoblastoid leukemia cells (CCRF-CEM) and exposed them to 900 MHz microwave EMF from a TEM cell at short and long exposure times. They evaluated the effect of high-frequency EMF on gene expression and identified functional pathways influenced by the exposure.

Differentiation of osteoprogenitor cells is induced by high-frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields.

Teven CM et al. · 2012

Effect of microwave exposure on the ovarian development of Drosophila melanogaster.

Panagopoulos DJ · 2012

Researchers studied the effect of GSM radiation on ovarian development in virgin Drosophila melanogaster females. Exposed insects had significantly smaller ovaries due to destruction of egg chambers from DNA damage and cell death. The ovarian size difference peaked at 39-45 hours after eclosion and then decreased as mature eggs were laid in sham-exposed flies.

Effects of exposure to electromagnetic field (1.8/0.9 GHz) on testicular function and structure in growing rats.

Ozlem Nisbet H, Nisbet C, Akar A, Cevik M, Karayigit MO · 2012

2.45-Gz wireless devices induce oxidative stress and proliferation through cytosolic Ca²⁺ influx in human leukemia cancer cells.

Nazıroğlu M, Ciğ B, Doğan S, Uğuz AC, Dilek S, Faouzi D. · 2012

Researchers divided twelve cell cultures into control and irradiated groups of six each, then further split them into four exposure durations of 1, 2, 12, and 24 hours. Exposed cells showed higher lipid peroxidation, cytosolic free Ca²⁺, and cell numbers than controls. The rise in cytosolic free Ca²⁺ was radiation time-dependent and highest at 24 hours. Reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, vitamin C, and cell viability did not change in any group. 2-aminoethyl diphenylborinate inhibited Ca²⁺ influx by blocking transient receptor potential melastatin 2 channels.

Increased Radioresistance to Lethal Doses of Gamma Rays in Mice and Rats after Exposure to Microwave Radiation Emitted by a GSM Mobile Phone Simulator.

Mortazavi S et al. · 2012

In the first phase, 110 male mice were divided into eight groups and exposed or sham-exposed to microwave, low dose rate gamma, or both for five days before a lethal gamma dose on day six. In the second phase, 30 male rats were divided into two groups of 15; the first group received microwave exposure, the second group received no treatment before the lethal dose, and all animals were whole-body irradiated with the lethal dose on day five. Statistically significant differences in survival were observed for mice pre-exposed to microwave (p=0.02), low dose rate gamma (p=0.001), or both (p=0.003), and for rats between control and test groups. The authors concluded that exposure to microwave radiation may induce a significant survival adaptive response.

Inhibitory Effects of Microwave Radiation on LPS-Induced NFκB Expression in THP-1 Monocytes.

Li CY, Liao MH, Lin CW, Tsai WS, Huang CC, Tang TK. · 2012

The study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of microwave radiation on LPS-induced NFκB expression in THP-1 monocytes. PMA caused THP-1 monocytes to differentiate into macrophages that reacted with LPS, increasing NFκB levels. Microwave radiation exposure decreased NFκB expression levels in PMA and LPS stimulated THP-1 monocytes.

Effect of exposure to radio frequency radiation emitted by cell phone on the developing dorsal root ganglion of chick embryo: a light microscopic study.

Ingole IV, Ghosh SK. · 2012

Researchers exposed chick embryos to radiofrequency radiation emitted by a cell phone by varying the duration of exposure to create different doses. Light microscopic examination revealed that developing dorsal root ganglion neurons suffered damage that was dose dependent. The damage persisted even when exposure-free periods were given between exposures.

Effects of radiofrequency radiation on human ferritin: an in vitro enzymun assay.

Fattahi-Asl J et al. · 2012

Fifty human serum wells from 25 normal healthy donors were labeled with ruthenium for an immunoassay and placed into two batches. The first batch was exposed to 900 MHz radiation from a Nokia 1202 cell phone in speech mode for 30 minutes. Ferritin levels in the exposed batch averaged 84.94 ± 1.04 μg/L versus 87.25 ± 0.83 μg/L in the unexposed batch, a significant decrease (P = 0.029).

Effect of 60 minutes exposure to electromagnetic field on fecundity, learning and memory, speed of movement and whole body protein of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster.

El Kholy SE, El Husseiny EM. · 2012

Researchers exposed fruit flies to electromagnetic fields from four electrical devices and measured fecundity, learning, memory, movement speed, and whole-body proteins. Adult fecundity showed no significant change, while larval learning and memory were altered, particularly after mobile phone exposure.

Influence of Electromagnetic Radiation Produced by Mobile Phone on Some Biophysical Blood Properties in Rats.

El-Bediwi AB, Saad M, El-Kott AF, Eid E. · 2012

Researchers investigated the effects of mobile phone electromagnetic radiation on blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, hemolysis, osmotic fragility, and blood components in rats. Red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets were broken after exposure. Blood viscosity and plasma viscosity values increased while osmotic fragility value decreased after exposure.

The effects of long-term exposure of magnetic field via 900-MHz GSM radiation on some biochemical parameters and brain histology in rats.

Celikozlu SD et al. · 2012

Researchers exposed rats to magnetic fields via cell phones during prenatal and postnatal periods until the rats were 80 days old. The study measured blood parameters and neurons in the brain of rats. Magnetic field exposure decreased pyramidal neuron numbers 51.15% and increased ischemic neuron numbers 73% at the cortex region of the brain. In the hippocampus, magnetic fields increased the amount of ischemic neurons three-fold compared to the control, while hippocampal pyramidal cell numbers were not affected.

An Evaluation of the effects of long-term cell phone use on the testes via light and electron microscope analysis

Celik S, Aridogan IA, Izol V, Erdoğan S, Polat S, Doran S. · 2012

Researchers placed Wistar-Kyoto male rats into a control group with inactive cell phones and an experimental group with active cell phones for three months. No significant differences were found in testis weight, seminiferous tubule diameter, or histopathological evaluation between the groups. Electron microscopy showed increased membrana propria thickness, increased collagen fibers, extended capillary veins, vacuolization in Sertoli cells, electron-dense structures, and large lipid droplets in the exposed rats.

Use of laptop computers connected to internet through Wi-Fi decreases human sperm motility and increases sperm DNA fragmentation.

Avendaño C, Mata A, Sanchez Sarmiento CA, Doncel GF. · 2012

Researchers exposed sperm from 29 healthy donors to a Wi-Fi-connected laptop for four hours. Exposed sperm had significantly lower progressive motility and more DNA fragmentation than unexposed sperm. Sperm viability did not differ between groups.

Single-strand DNA breaks in human hair root cells exposed to mobile phone radiation.

Cam ST, Seyhan N. · 2012

Researchers collected hair samples from eight healthy human subjects before and after they used a 900-MHz GSM mobile phone for 15 and 30 minutes. Single-strand DNA breaks in hair root cells were measured using the comet assay. Both exposure durations significantly increased DNA single-strand breaks, and the 30-minute exposure caused significantly more damage than the 15-minute exposure.

Cell phone electromagnetic field radiations affect rhizogenesis through impairment of biochemical processes.

Singh HP, Sharma VP, Batish DR, Kohli RK. · 2012

Researchers investigated the biochemical mechanism of 900 MHz cell phone electromagnetic field radiation interference with root formation in mung bean hypocotyls. Exposure enhanced protease, polyphenol oxidase, and peroxidase activities in hypocotyls compared to controls. Exposure also increased malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and proline content, indicating reactive oxygen species-mediated oxidative damage. Antioxidant enzyme activities including superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione reductase were upregulated, suggesting a protective role against oxidative damage. The study concluded that cell phone radiations affect rhizogenesis through biochemical alterations manifesting as oxidative damage resulting in root impairment.