Immune System

Oxidative stress, melatonin level, and sleep insufficiency among electronic equipment repairers

Unknown authors · 2011

Early life exposure to 2.45GHz WiFi-like signals: effects on development and maturation of the immune system

Sambucci M et al. · 2011

Newborn mice were exposed to WiFi signals at SAR of 0.08 or 4 W/kg, 2 hours per day, 5 days per week, for 5 weeks starting the day after birth. No effects were seen on most immune parameters in either sex, but male mice exposed at 4 W/kg showed reduced IFN-γ production in spleen cells. The researchers concluded that early post-natal WiFi exposure does not induce detrimental effects on the developing immune system. The study used a blind procedure with sham controls and found no differences in body weight or development between groups.

One-year, simultaneous combined exposure of CDMA and WCDMA radiofrequency electromagnetic fields to rats.

Jin YB, Lee HJ, Seon Lee J, Pack JK, Kim N, Lee YS. · 2011

Researchers exposed two groups of 40 Sprague-Dawley rats to CDMA and WCDMA radiofrequency fields simultaneously at 2.0 W/kg each for 45 minutes per day, five days a week, for one year. No significant alteration in body weight was observed with the combined exposure. Total tumour incidence did not differ between exposed and sham-exposed animals. Most exposed rats showed no significant changes in urinalysis, haematology, blood biochemistry, or histopathology. However, some altered parameters in complete blood count and serum chemistry were seen in exposed rats.

Induction of adaptive response in human blood lymphocytes exposed to 900 MHz radiofrequency fields: influence of cell cycle.

Sannino A et al. · 2011

Researchers exposed human peripheral blood lymphocytes in G0, G1, or S-phase to 900 MHz RF at 1.25 W/kg for 20 hours, then treated them with mitomycin C. The incidence of micronuclei was evaluated to determine adaptive response. Cells exposed in S-phase showed an adaptive response, while those exposed in G0 or G1 did not.

Genotoxic effects of 3 T magnetic resonance imaging in cultured human lymphocytes.

Lee JW, Kim MS, Kim YJ, Choi YJ, Lee Y, Chung HW. · 2011

Researchers investigated the genotoxic potential of 3 T clinical MRI scans in cultured human lymphocytes by exposing them to electromagnetic fields from a clinical brain protocol for 22, 45, 67, and 89 minutes. They observed a significant increase in single-strand DNA breaks after exposure. Micronuclei and chromosome aberration frequencies increased in a time-dependent manner.

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 et al. · 2011

Researchers investigated the mutagenic and morphologic effects of 1.8GHz GSM radiofrequency radiation, alone and combined with Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761) pre-treatment, in human peripheral blood lymphocytes using Sister Chromatid Exchange and electron microscopy. There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in Sister Chromatid Exchange frequency in RF-exposed lymphocytes compared to sham controls. RF radiation also inhibited cell viability in a time-dependent manner, and EGb 761 pre-treatment significantly increased cell viability at 8 and 24 hours compared to RF-exposed groups alone.

The Effects on Cells Mobility Due to Exposure to EMF Radiation.

Aly H., Ashraf & deris, Safaai & Zaki, Nazar. (2011). · 2011

Researchers investigated whether radiofrequency field exposure could affect the activity of human immune system cells by studying the activity and behavior of human leukocytes upon exposure to radiofrequency fields. Human blood leukocytes were exposed to 1800 MHz RF radiation (SAR of 1.25 W/Kg, Power density of 0.1 mW/cm2) from a mobile phone when placed within a distance of 5 cm from the microscope stage. The maximum speed exceeded that measured at any temperature by approximately 50%, and a significant change was observed in leukocyte movement direction and cell behavior, including shrinking, expanding, and rolling.

Induction of adaptive response: pre-exposure of mice to 900 MHz radiofrequency fields reduces hematopoietic damage caused by subsequent exposure to ionising radiation.

Cao Y, Xu Q, Jin ZD, Zhou Z, Nie JH, Tong J. · 2011

Adult male Kunming mice were exposed to 900 MHz radiofrequency fields at power intensities of 12, 120 and 1200 μW/cm(2) for 1 h/day for 14 days and then subjected to whole body gamma-irradiation. Compared with mice exposed to gamma-radiation alone, the RF pre-exposed mice showed a significant increase in survival time and a reduction in hematopoietic tissue damage. The researchers described this effect as appearing similar to the 'adaptive response' which is well documented in scientific literature.

Effects of a 900-MHz electromagnetic field on oxidative stress parameters in rat lymphoid organs, polymorphonuclear leukocytes and plasma.

Aydin B, Akar A. · 2011

Researchers exposed immature and mature rats to a 900-MHz electromagnetic field for 2 hours per day for 45 days and measured oxidative stress in lymphoid organs, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and plasma. Antioxidant enzyme activity, glutathione levels in lymphoid organs, and the antioxidant capacity of plasma decreased after exposure, while lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide levels, and myeloperoxidase activity increased. Improvements seen after a recovery period were limited, especially in immature rats, and oxidative damage was described as tissue specific.

Kinetic study on the effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field on catalase, cytochrome P450 and inducible nitric oxide synthase in human HaCaT and THP-1 cell lines.

Patruno A et al. · 2011

The study estimated kinetic constants of catalase, cytochrome P450, and inducible nitric oxide synthase in human HaCaT and THP-1 cell lines exposed to ELF-EMF. To evaluate cellular responses to an inflammatory stimulus, both cell lines were treated with lipopolysaccharide. The effects of ELF-EMF depend upon frequency, amplitude, and length of exposure, and are also related to intrinsic susceptibility and responsiveness of different cell types.

Biological effects from exposure to electromagnetic radiation emitted by cell tower base stations and other antenna arrays

Levitt BB, Lai H · 2010

Effects of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields on Helicobacter pylori biofilm

Unknown authors · 2010

Researchers exposed H. pylori ATCC 43629 cultures and 2-day-old biofilm to ELF-EMF at 50 Hz and 1 mT for 2 days. Exposed cultures and sham-exposed controls were studied for cell viability, morphology, biofilm mass, genotypic profile, and luxS and amiA gene expression. During biofilm formation, ELF-EMF exposure significantly increased spiral forms to 58.41% versus 33.14% in controls and reduced biofilm cell mass. On mature biofilm, no significant differences were found compared to controls, though biofilm mass was also reduced. No changes in DNA patterns were recorded, but amiA gene expression was modulated.

Combined exposure of peripubertal male rats to the endocrine-disrupting compound atrazine and power- frequency electromagnetic fields causes degranulation of cutaneous mast cells: a new toxic environmental hazard?

Unknown authors · 2010

Effect of Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) on Phospholipase Activity in the Cultured Cells

Unknown authors · 2010

The study used RAW 264.7 cells and RBL 2H3 cells. The cells were exposed to 60 Hz EMF at 0.1 or 1 mT for 4 or 16 hours. Basal and melittin-induced arachidonic acid release, cPLA2, sPLA2, PLC, and PLD activities were unchanged by EMF exposure. The authors concluded that the exposure conditions, which were 2.4 fold higher than the occupational limit, did not induce phospholipase-associated signaling pathways.

Prenatal exposure to non-ionizing radiation: effects of WiFi signals on pregnancy outcome, peripheral B-cell compartment and antibody production.

Sambucci M et al. · 2010

Researchers exposed pregnant mice to WiFi signals for 2 hours daily over 14 consecutive days starting 5 days after mating. No effects were found on mating success, number of newborns per mother, or body weight at birth. Offspring showed no differences in spleen cell number, B-cell frequency, or antibody serum levels. B cells from all groups produced comparable IgM and IgG and proliferated similarly when challenged with LPS in vitro. These findings were consistent in both female and male offspring at juvenile and adult ages.

1950 MHz IMT-2000 field does not activate microglial cells in vitro.

Hirose H et al. · 2010

Researchers exposed primary microglial cell cultures from neonatal rats to 1950 MHz W-CDMA RF fields at SARs of 0.2, 0.8, and 2.0 W/kg for 2 hours. The percentage of MHC class II positive cells, a marker of microglial activation, was similar between exposed and sham-exposed groups. No statistically significant differences were observed in MHC class II positive cells across any RF exposure group compared to sham controls. Cytokine production of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 also showed no remarkable differences between exposed and sham groups.

Effects of 900-MHz microwave radiation on gamma-ray-induced damage to mouse hematopoietic system.

Cao Y, Xu Q, Jin ZD, Zhang J, Lu MX, Nie JH, Tong J. · 2010

Researchers examined the effects of microwave exposure on the hematopoietic system adversely altered by gamma-ray irradiation in mice. Preexposure to low-dose microwaves reduced the damage from gamma-ray irradiation, shown by less severe pathological changes in bone marrow and spleen. The authors suggested the protection came from increased hematopoietic growth factors, stimulated granulocyte-macrophage proliferation, and reduced suppression of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. They concluded that prior microwave exposure may protect against gamma-ray injury to the hematopoietic system in mice.

Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields modulate expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, endothelial nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in the human keratinocyte cell line HaCat: potential therapeutic effects in wound healing.

Patruno A et al. · 2010

The study analyzed the effect of ELF-EMF on the human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT to assess mechanisms and support therapeutic use in wound healing. Exposure to ELF-EMF increased iNOS and eNOS expression levels, NOS activities, and NO production. Higher AP-1 expression and cell proliferation rate were also associated with ELF-EMF exposure. In contrast, ELF-EMF decreased COX-2 expression, PGE2 production, catalase activity, and O2− production.

The influence of weak magnetic fields on the production of the reactive oxygen species in peritoneal neutrophils in mice.

Belova NA et al. · 2010

Researchers studied the influence of weak magnetic fields of different types on the rate of reactive oxygen species formation in mouse peritoneal neutrophils. Exposure to a magnetic field tuned to the parametric resonance for Ca2+ ions decreased ROS generation by 23% in neutrophils activated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. The same field increased ROS generation by about 21% in neutrophils stimulated by the bacterial peptide FMLP.

Mechanisms involved in the blood-testis barrier increased permeability induced by EMP.

Wang XW et al. · 2010

Confirmation studies of Soviet research on immunological effects of microwaves: Russian immunology results.

Grigoriev YG et al. · 2010

Researchers replicated earlier Soviet studies from 1974 to 1991 that had examined immunological and reproductive effects of long-term low-level radiofrequency exposure in rats. Wistar rats were exposed in the far field to 2450 MHz continuous wave RF fields at an incident power density of 5 W/m² for 7 hours per day, 5 days per week, for a total of 30 days, resulting in a whole-body SAR of 0.16 W/kg. The results partly confirmed the earlier findings and indicated possible effects from non-thermal RF exposure on autoimmune processes. A separate part of the study suggested possible adverse effects of blood serum from exposed rats on pregnancy and foetal development of intact rats, though the researchers noted that applying these results to exposure standards is limited.

Effects of Exposure to GSM mobile phone base station signals on salivary cortisol, alpha-amylase, and Immunoglobulin A.

Augner C et al. · 2010

Researchers tested whether RF-EMF emitted by mobile phone base stations may affect salivary alpha-amylase, immunoglobulin A, and cortisol levels. Fifty-seven participants were randomly allocated to one of three experimental scenarios, and each participant went through five 50-minute exposure sessions. When exposure shifted from low to high in scenario 3, an increase of cortisol was detected, and IgA concentration was not significantly related to the exposure. The researchers suggested that RF-EMF in considerably lower field densities than ICNIRP guidelines may influence certain psychobiological stress markers.

Impact of 1.8-GHz radiofrequency radiation (RFR) on DNA damage and repair induced by doxorubicin in human B-cell lymphoblastoid cells.

Zhijian C et al. · 2010

Researchers used a comet assay to study whether 1.8-GHz radiofrequency radiation (RFR, SAR of 2 W/kg) could influence DNA repair in human B-cell lymphoblastoid cells exposed to doxorubicin (DOX). RFR alone did not directly induce DNA damage in the cells. A specific combined-exposure pattern could obviously influence DNA repair at 6 h and 12 h after exposure to DOX for four DOX doses.

[Autoimmune processes after long-term low-level exposure to electromagnetic fields (the results of an experiment). Part 4. Manifestation of oxidative intracellular stress-reaction after long-term non-thermal EMF exposure of rats]

Grigor'ev IuG et al. · 2010

Exposure to ELF magnetic fields modulate redox related protein expression in mouse macrophages.

Frahm J, Mattsson MO, Simkó M. · 2010

Researchers exposed mouse macrophages to a 50 Hz, 1.0 mT magnetic field and measured changes in reactive oxygen species production and protein expression. Short-term exposures of two hours or less caused slight and transient decreases in several proteins, including clathrin, adaptin, PI3-kinase, protein kinase B, and PP2A, while longer exposures had no effect on these proteins. The stress proteins Hsp70 and Hsp110 showed increased levels at certain time points but not generally.