Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Studying the synergistic damage effects induced by 1.8 GHz radiofrequency field radiation (RFR) with four chemical mutagens on human lymphocyte DNA using comet assay in vitro med./bio.

By: Baohong W, Jiliang H, Lifen J, Deqiang L, Wei Z, Jianlin L, Hongping D

Published in: Mutation Research - Fundamental and Molecular Mechanism of Mutagenesis 2005; 578 (1-2): 149-157

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the synergistic DNA damage effects in human lymphocytes induced by 1.8 GHz radiofrequency field irradiation with four chemical mutagens (mitomycin C (DNA crosslinker), bleomycin (radiomimetic agent), methyl methanesulfonate (alkylating agent), and 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (UV-mimetic agent)).

Background/further details

Cells were divided into four groups: 1) sham-control group, 2) radiofrequency field irradiation group, 3) chemical exposure group, 4) radiofrequency field irradiation + chemical exposure group. Three combinative exposure ways were: 1) radiofrequency field irradiation before chemical exposure, 2) radiofrequency field irradiation together with chemical exposure, and 3) radiofrequency field irradiation after chemical exposure.

Endpoint

genotoxicity/mutation: DNA damage

Exposure

- microwaves
- mobile communications
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 1.8 GHz Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h	SAR: 3 W/kg unspecified

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	1.8 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Charakteristic	guided field
Exposure duration	continuous for 2 h

Modulation

Modulation type	unspecified

Exposure setup

Exposure source	TEM cell waveguide
Chamber	The exposure setup was based on two R18 rectangular waveguide chambers, one for RF and one for sham exposure that were blindly activated by a computer controlled signal unit.
Setup	Cells were put in 35-mm dishes and placed into the two waveguide chambers (TEM cells).
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info	The lymphocytes were divided into four groups: sham control, RF exposure, chemical exposure, and RF + chemical exposure group.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	3 W/kg	unspecified	unspecified	-	-

Exposed system:

intact cell/cell culture

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

genotoxicity/mutation: DNA damage (comet assay)

Investigated system:

DNA/RNA
intact cell/cell culture

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data showed no difference of DNA damage indices between radiofrequency field exposed group and control group at 0 and 21 h incubation after exposure.
There were significant differences of DNA damage indices between "mitomycin C group" and "radiofrequency field irradiation + mitomycin C co-exposure group" at 0 and 21 h incubation after treatment.
Also the significant difference of DNA damage indices between "4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide group" and "radiofrequency field irradiation + 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide co-exposure group" at 0 and 21 h incubation after treatment was revealed.
The DNA damage in "radiofrequency field irradiation + bleomycin co-exposure groups" and "radiofrequency field irradiation + methyl methanesulfonate co-exposure groups" was not significantly increased, as compared with corresponding "bleomycin" and "methyl methanesulfonate groups".
The findings indicated that 1.8 GHz radiofrequency field irradiation for 2 h did not induce the human lymphocyte DNA damage effects in vitro, but it could enhance the human lymphocyte DNA damage effects induced by mitomycin C and 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide. The synergistic DNA damage effects of 1.8 GHz radiofrequency field irradiation with bleomycin or methyl methanesulfonate were not obvious.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

International Cooperative Foundation of Science-Technique Bureau of Zhejiang Province, China
Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation, China

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