Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Reactive oxygen species formation is not enhanced by exposure to UMTS 1950 MHz radiation and co-exposure to ferrous ions in Jurkat cells med./bio.

By: Brescia F, Sarti M, Massa R, Calabrese ML, Sannino A, Scarfi MR

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2009; 30 (7): 525-535

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study cell viability and reactive oxygen species formation in human lymphoblastoid cells exposed to 1950 MHz, UMTS signal, for short (1 h) or long (24 h) exposure duration. To investigate if radiofrequency exposure may modify reactive oxygen species production induced by a well known oxidative stress inducer, co-exposures with ferrous ions (Fe²⁺, administered as iron sulfate FeSO₄) were also carried out (concurrent or after radiofrequency exposure).

Background/further details

Ferrous ions act by producing a very reactive free radical, the hydroxyl radical (OH^.). Positive controls were treated with iron sulfate for the same duration.

Endpoint

molecular biosynthesis: oxidative stress (production of reactive oxygen species)
cell viability/cell division/proliferation: cell viability

Exposure

- mobile communications
- digital mobile phone
- UMTS
- co-exposure

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 1,950 MHz Exposure duration: 5 min - 60 min or 24 h	SAR: 0.5 W/kg SAR: 2 W/kg

General information

experiments were conducted under 4 different conditions: i) 5 min - 60 min RF only ii) 24 h RF only iii) 5 min - 60 min RF + FeSO₄ iv) 24 h RF + FeSO₄

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	1,950 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	5 min - 60 min or 24 h

Exposure setup

Exposure source	waveguide
Setup	rectangular short-circuited waveguide (109.2 mm x 54.6 mm x 500 mm) in TE₁₀ mode; cell cultures placed on a plastic stand inside the waveguide; electric field parallel to the sample surface
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	0.5 W/kg	-	calculated	-	-
SAR	2 W/kg	-	calculated	-	-

Reference articles

De Prisco G et al. (2008): SAR and efficiency evaluation of a 900 MHz waveguide chamber for cell exposure
Sannino A et al. (2006): Evaluation of Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Effects in Human Peripheral Blood Leukocytes Following Exposure to 1950-MHz Modulated Signal
Calabrese M et al. (2006): A high-efficiency waveguide applicator for in vitro exposure of mammalian cells at 1.95 GHz

Exposed system:

intact cell/cell culture
Jurkat cells (human lymphoblastoid T cells)

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

molecular biosynthesis: oxidative stress (production of reactive oxygen species, measured 5-60 min following exposure; flow cytometry)
cell viability/cell division/proliferation: cell viability (resazurin and neutral red assay)

Investigated system:

intact cell/cell culture

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data indicate that non-thermal radiofrequency exposures do not increase spontaneous reactive oxygen species formation in any of the experimental conditions investigated. Consistent with the lack of reactive oxygen species formation, no change in cell viability was found in radiofrequency exposed cells.
Similar results were obtained when co-exposures were considered: combined exposures to radiofrequency and iron sulfate (as stress-inducer) did not increase reactive oxygen species production induced by the chemical treatment alone.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

Centre of Competence on Information and Communication Technologies, Regione Campania, Italy
Italian Agency for Environmental Protection and Technical Services (Agenzia per la Protezione dell'Ambiente e per i servizi Tecnici, APAT, ISPRA institute), Italy
Project "Electromagnetic Fields and Experimental Carcinogenesis", Italy
Project "Wireless Technology Health Risks", Italy

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