Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Terahertz radiation induces spindle disturbances in human-hamster hybrid cells med./bio.

By: Hintzsche H, Jastrow C, Kleine-Ostmann T, Stopper H, Schmid E, Schrader T

Published in: Radiat Res 2011; 175 (5): 569-574

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study and quantify the production of spindle disturbances at the anaphase and telophase in human hamster-hybrid cells by 0.106 THz radiation.

Background/further details

For each exposure protocol, two separate replicate experiments were performed.
The aneuploidy-inducing insecticide trichlorfon was used as positive control.

Endpoint

genotoxicity/mutation: spindle disturbance

Exposure

- 0.106 THz
- millimeter waves
- TeraHz
- CW continuous wave

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 0.106 THz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: continuous for 0.5 h	power density: 0.043 mW/cm² spatial average power density: 0.43 mW/cm² spatial average power density: 4.3 mW/cm² spatial average

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	0.106 THz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 0.5 h

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

Exposure source	horn antenna
Setup	cells placed in µ-dishes (Petri dishes) in an incubator at 36°C and 5 % CO₂; incubator fitted with a transparent window on one side and a metallic mirror for transmission of the radiation beam; gaussian beam directed from the horn antenna through a mirror and the incubator's window on a second mirror that directed the beam from below on the cell dishes; exposure area with a diameter of 12 mm
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power density	0.043 mW/cm²	spatial average	measured	-	-
power density	0.43 mW/cm²	spatial average	measured	-	-
power density	4.3 mW/cm²	spatial average	measured	-	-

Exposed system:

intact cell/cell culture
FC2 cells (human-hamster hybrid (AL)) cells

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

genotoxicity/mutation: spindle disturbance at metaphase or at anaphases and telophases (aceto-orcein stain)
cell viability/cell division/proliferation: cell proliferation (mitotic index)

Investigated system:

intact cell/cell culture
chromosomes

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Based on a total of 6,365 analyzed mitotic cells, the data of two replicate experiments suggest that 0.106 THz radiation at power density levels of 0.43 and 4.3 mW/cm² is a spindle-acting agent as predominately indicated by the appearance of spindle disturbances at the anaphase and telophase (especially lagging and non-disjunction of single chromosomes) of cell divisions.
The findings do not necessarily imply disease or injury but may be important for evaluating possible underlying mechanisms.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

Elite Network of Bavaria (Elitenetzwerk Bayern), Germany
Erich-Becker-Stiftung, Germany

Wilmink GJ et al. (2011): In vitro investigation of the biological effects associated with human dermal fibroblasts exposed to 2.52 THz radiation
Schrader T et al. (2011): Spindle disturbances in human-hamster hybrid (A(L)) cells induced by the electrical component of the mobile communication frequency range signal
Ballardin M et al. (2011): Non-thermal effects of 2.45GHz microwaves on spindle assembly, mitotic cells and viability of Chinese hamster V-79 cells
Wilmink GJ et al. (2010): Determination of death thresholds and identification of Terahertz (THz)-specific gene expression signatures
Tkalec M et al. (2009): Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on seed germination and root meristematic cells of Allium cepa L
Schrader T et al. (2008): Spindle disturbances in human-hamster hybrid (AL) cells induced by mobile communication frequency range signals
Korenstein-Ilan A et al. (2008): Terahertz radiation increases genomic instability in human lymphocytes
Bourne N et al. (2008): The effects of terahertz radiation on human keratinocyte primary cultures and neural cell cultures
Zeni O et al. (2007): Cytogenetic Observations In Human Peripheral Blood Leukocytes Following In Vitro Exposure To THz Radiation: A Pilot Study
Scarfi MR et al. (2003): THz Exposure of Whole Blood for the Study of Biological Effects on Human Lymphocytes