Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Microwave exposure of neuronal cells in vitro: Study of apoptosis med./bio.

Published in: Int J Radiat Biol 2006; 82 (4): 267-275

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study whether apoptosis is induced in vitro in cells from a human neuroblastoma cell line by exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (GSM and continuous wave).

Background/further details

Heat controls were performed at 39°C. Apoptosis rate was assessed immediately or 24 h after exposure using three different methods.
Positive controls were performed with the protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: continuous for 24 h
Exposure 2: 900 MHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: continuous for 24 h
  • SAR: 0.25 W/kg mean (unspecified)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 24 h
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
  • wire-patch cell (WPC)
Chamber The WPC [Laval et al., 2000] was placed into a Plexiglas "cage" with RF absorbing ferrite walls. Sham-exposed dishes were placed in the same conditions in a second non-activated WPC in the same incubator at 37°C, 5% CO2. Control cells were placed in a second, identical incubator.
Setup The WPC allowed simultaneous and equal exposure of eight 35-mm Petri dishes containing 2 ml of complete medium (four columns of two dishes). To improve the SAR homogeneity, each dish was placed into another 50 mm dish containing 5 ml of distilled water.
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info Since a temperature increase of 2°C was detected during CW exposure due to the absorbing material placed around the WPC, heat control cells were exposed to 39°C, 5% CO2.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 2 W/kg mean unspecified unspecified -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 24 h
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Pulse width 0.577 ms
Repetition frequency 217 Hz
Additional info

GSM signal

Exposure setup
Exposure source
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info For GSM exposure, no increase of temperature was detected.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 0.25 W/kg mean unspecified unspecified -

Reference articles

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

These data showed that under the conditions of the present experiment microwave exposure (either continuous wave or GSM-900) does not significantly increase the apoptosis rate in the human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y, either 0 h or 24 h after exposure.

Study character:

Study funded by

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