Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of high-frequency electromagnetic fields (GSM 1800MHz) on immature and mature rats med./bio.

By: Sekeroglu V, Akar A, Sekeroglu ZA

Published in: Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2012; 80: 140-144

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the potential cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of long-term (45 days) exposure to 1800 MHz electromagnetic fields on bone marrow cells in immature and mature rats.

Background/further details

24 immature (two weeks old) and 24 mature (ten weeks old) rats were divided into six groups (each group n=8): 1) immature control group, 2) immature exposure group, 3) immature exposure group + recovery period of 15 days, 4) mature control group, 5) mature exposure group, 6) mature exposure group + recovery period of 15 days.
Bone marrow cells were collected from both femurs. Four rats were used for the micronucleus test and four rats for the chromosomal analysis and mitotic index.

Endpoint

genotoxicity/mutation: DNA damage (chromosome aberration, micronucleus test)
cell viability/cell division/proliferation: cytotoxicity

Exposure

- 1,800 MHz
- mobile communications
- mobile phone
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 1,800 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for two hours/day for 45 days	SAR: 0.37 W/kg (immature rats) SAR: 0.49 W/kg (mature rats) electric field strength: 16.62 V/m mean (± 1,67 V/m (mature rats)) electric field strength: 16.96 V/m mean (± 5,39 V/m (immature rats)) power: 2 W maximum ((power of the GSM modulator))

General information

Rats were divided into six groups with eight animals each: i) immature control group ii) immature rats exposed to EMF iii) immature rats granted a recovery period of 15 days after exposure termination iv) mature control group v) mature rats exposed to EMF vi) mature rats granted a recovery period of 15 days after exposure termination

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	1,800 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Polarization	circular
Exposure duration	continuous for two hours/day for 45 days

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Repetition frequency	217 Hz

Exposure setup

Exposure source	monopole
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	4 cm
Chamber	pie cage plexiglas restrainer with twelve slices: one rat/slice; numerous holes for air condition at the top of the restrainer
Setup	antenna (height: 15 cm) located in the middle of the pie cage; antenna fixed about 4 cm from the head (due to movements of rats, the distance ranged from 4 to 8 cm)
Additional info	band interval of GSM modulator: 1750 - 1850 MHz

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	0.37 W/kg	-	-	whole body	immature rats
SAR	0.49 W/kg	-	-	whole body	mature rats
electric field strength	16.62 V/m	mean	calculated	-	± 1,67 V/m (mature rats)
electric field strength	16.96 V/m	mean	calculated	-	± 5,39 V/m (immature rats)
power	2 W	maximum	-	-	(power of the GSM modulator)

Measurement and calculation details

laboratory media was measured once a week with spectrum analyzer for investigation of background effects; electric field values were obtained from head, dorsal and tail for eleven rats over seven weeks (on the whole 77 values)

Reference articles

Aydin B et al. (2011): Effects of a 900-MHz electromagnetic field on oxidative stress parameters in rat lymphoid organs, polymorphonuclear leukocytes and plasma
Dasdag S et al. (2009): Effect of mobile phone exposure on apoptotic glial cells and status of oxidative stress in rat brain
Koyu A et al. (2005): Effects of 900MHz electromagnetic field on TSH and thyroid hormones in rats

Exposed system:

animal
rat/Wistar albino
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

genotoxicity/mutation: DNA damage (chromosome aberration (Giemsa staining) and micronucleus test (May-Grünwald-Giemsa staining); light microscopy)
cell viability/cell division/proliferation: cytotoxicity: mitotic index (Giemsa staining; light microscopy); ratio of polychromatic erythrocytes to normochromatic erythrocytes

Investigated system:

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data showed significant differences in chromosome aberrations (increase), the micronucleus frequency (increase), mitotic index (decrease) and the ratio of polychromatic erythrocytes (decrease) in bone marrow cells of all exposure groups compared with the control group. Additionally, the cytotoxic and genotoxic damage was more remarkable in immature rats than in mature rats. The 15 days of recovery period was insufficient to compensate the genotoxic damage in immature rats after exposure.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

Zong C et al. (2015): Adaptive response in mice exposed to 900 MHz radiofrequency fields: Bleomycin-induced DNA and oxidative damage/repair
Gurbuz N et al. (2014): No genotoxic effect in exfoliated bladder cells of rat under the exposure of 1800 and 2100 MHz radio frequency radiation
Atli Sekeroglu Z et al. (2013): Evaluation of the cytogenotoxic damage in immature and mature rats exposed to 900 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields
Jiang B et al. (2013): Induction of adaptive response in mice exposed to 900MHz radiofrequency fields: application of micronucleus assay
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