Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Radiofrequency radiation does not induce stress response in human T-lymphocytes and rat primary astrocytes med./bio.

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2006; 27 (7): 578-588

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of 1763 MHz irradiation emitted from mobile phones on stress response.

Background/further details

Expression of heat shock proteins and the phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK; major participants in stress responses) were monitored. Whether radiofrequency exposure exerted a synergistic effect on the status of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation induced by TPA was also determined. Positive controls were performed (43°C, 30 min).

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 1,762.5 MHz
Exposure duration: continuous for 30 min or 1 h

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 1,762.5 MHz
Type
Charakteristic
  • guided field
Exposure duration continuous for 30 min or 1 h
Modulation
Modulation type cf. additional info
Additional info

CDMA signal

Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber The experimental chamber (W 115 mm x H 80 mm x L 240 mm) was made of aluminium and therefore shielded. The temperature was maintained at 37 ± 0.2°C by cooling water circulating through its bottom. Gas from an incubator was circulated through the cavity to maintain CO2 density and humidity.
Setup The RF signal was fed by a λ/8 monopole antenna (22 mm long) at the λ/4 position of the top plate of the cavity exciting only the fundamental TE102 mode and allowing a uniform exposure of a 100-mm culture dish. The 100-mm Petri dish having an inner diameter of 85 mm, a 1-mm wall, and a 91-mm lid was filled with 18 ml of culture medium standing 4 mm high.
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info For positive (heat shock) control, culture dishes were wrapped tightly with parafilm and immersed in a water bath at 43 ± 0.2°C for 30 min.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 2 W/kg mean measured and calculated - -
SAR 20 W/kg mean measured and calculated - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No detectable difference was found in the expression levels of the different heat shock proteins of exposed cells as compared to the levels measured in sham-exposed cells. The phosphorylation status of mitogen-activated protein kinases, extracellular signal-regulated kinases, c-Jun N-terminal protein kinases, or p38, did not change significantly.
When TPA alone was applied, the mitogen-activated protein kinases were found to be phosphorylated in a dose-dependent manner. However, radiofrequency irradiation did not result in any enhancement of TPA-induced phosphorylation. Neither TPA nor radiofrequency irradiation exerted any detectable effect on the induction of heat shock proteins.

Study character:

Study funded by

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