Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Exposure to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation induces caspase 3 activation in proliferating human lymphocytes med./bio.

By: Palumbo R, Brescia F, Capasso D, Sannino A, Sarti M, Capri M, Grassilli E, Scarfi MR

Published in: Radiat Res 2008; 170 (3): 327-334

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The induction of apoptosis after a 1h exposure to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (GSM signal) was investigated in proliferating human lymphocytes and lymphocytes in G0-Phase.

Background/further details

The mean specific absorption rate value used for the exposure was higher than the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) reference for safety limits. All experiments were repeated at least three times. Cells treated with Fas ligand and cytarabine served as positive controls.

Endpoint

cell viability/cell division/proliferation: apoptosis

Exposure

- mobile communications
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz Exposure duration: continuous for 1 h	SAR: 1.35 W/kg spatial average SAR: 10.8 W/kg peak value

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	900 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 1 h

Exposure setup

Exposure source	wire patch cell
Setup	wire patch cell located inside a CO₂ incubator, shielded through metal grid boxes and absorbers
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	1.35 W/kg	spatial average	measured and calculated	-	-
SAR	10.8 W/kg	peak value	measured and calculated	-	-

Reference articles

Scarfi MR et al. (2006): Exposure to radiofrequency radiation (900 MHz, GSM signal) does not affect micronucleus frequency and cell proliferation in human peripheral blood lymphocytes: an interlaboratory study
Merola P et al. (2006): Proliferation and apoptosis in a neuroblastoma cell line exposed to 900 MHz modulated radiofrequency field
Laval L et al. (2000): A new in vitro exposure device for the mobile frequency of 900 MHz

Exposed system:

intact cell/cell culture
Jurkat cells (human lymphoblastoid T cells) and human peripheral blood lymphocytes

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

cell viability/cell division/proliferation: apoptosis (Caspase 3 activity: fluorophotometry; Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide staining; PARP: immunoblotting), cell cycle progression (BrdU incorporation, propidium iodide staining: flow cytometry), cell viability (propidium iodide staining)

Investigated system:

intact cell/cell culture

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

A slight but statistically significant increase in caspase 3 activity, measured 6 h after exposure, was observed in Jurkat cells and in proliferating human peripheral blood lymphocytes, but not in human peripheral blood lymphocytes cells in G0-phase.
No changes after radiofrequency exposure have been observed in apoptosis, cell cycle progression and cell viability.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study
blind study

Study funded by

Project "Electromagnetic Safety and Compatibility", CNR, ICT Department, Italy

Cig B et al. (2015): Investigation of the effects of distance from sources on apoptosis, oxidative stress and cytosolic calcium accumulation via TRPV1 channels induced by mobile phones and Wi-Fi in breast cancer cells
Trivino Pardo JC et al. (2012): Microwave electromagnetic field regulates gene expression in T-lymphoblastoid leukemia CCRF-CEM cell line exposed to 900 MHz
Falzone N et al. (2010): Mobile Phone Radiation Does Not Induce Pro-apoptosis Effects in Human Spermatozoa
Atasoy A et al. (2009): The effects of electromagnetic fields on peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro
Scarfi MR et al. (2006): Exposure to radiofrequency radiation (900 MHz, GSM signal) does not affect micronucleus frequency and cell proliferation in human peripheral blood lymphocytes: an interlaboratory study
Merola P et al. (2006): Proliferation and apoptosis in a neuroblastoma cell line exposed to 900 MHz modulated radiofrequency field
Lantow M et al. (2006): Comparative study of cell cycle kinetics and induction of apoptosis or necrosis after exposure of human mono mac 6 cells to radiofrequency radiation
Marinelli F et al. (2004): Exposure to 900 MHz electromagnetic field induces an unbalance between pro-apoptotic and pro-survival signals in T-lymphoblastoid leukemia CCRF-CEM cells
Hook GJ et al. (2004): Measurement of DNA damage and apoptosis in Molt-4 cells after in vitro exposure to radiofrequency radiation
Capri M et al. (2004): 1800 MHz radiofrequency (mobile phones, different Global System for Mobile communication modulations) does not affect apoptosis and heat shock protein 70 level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from young and old donors
Capri M et al. (2004): In vitro exposure of human lymphocytes to 900 MHz CW and GSM modulated radiofrequency: studies of proliferation, apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential
Port M et al. (2003): Influence of high-frequency electromagnetic fields on different modes of cell death and gene expression