Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of 837 and 1950 MHz radiofrequency radiation exposure alone or combined on oxidative stress in MCF10A cells med./bio.

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2012; 33 (7): 604-611

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate whether the exposure to either single or combined radiofrequency fields could induce oxidative stress in human breast epithelium cells.

Background/further details

The following groups were investigated:
1.) sham exposure,
2.) exposure to CDMA signal at 837 MHz,
3.) exposure to W-CDMA signal at 1950 MHz,
4.) combined exposure to CDMA signal at 837 MHz and W-CDMA signal at 1950 MHz and
5.) positive control: 3 Gy gamma radiation.
Cells were investigated at 10, 24 and 48 h following exposure.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 837 MHz
Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h
Exposure 2: 1,950 MHz
Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h
Exposure 3: 837–1,950 MHz
Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 837 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 2 h
Additional info CDMA
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 13.6 cm
Setup cells placed in 100 mm Petri dishes, 3 - 6 dishes positioned around the antenna, which was placed in the center of the exposure chamber
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 4 W/kg - - - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 1,950 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 2 h
Additional info W-CDMA
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 13.6 cm
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 4 W/kg - - - -

Exposure 3

Main characteristics
Frequency 837–1,950 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 2 h
Additional info 837 MHz CDMA signal + 1950 MHz W-CDMA signal
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 13.6 cm
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 2 W/kg - - - CDMA
SAR 2 W/kg - - - W-CDMA

Reference articles

  • Lee KY et al. (2011): Effects of combined radiofrequency radiation exposure on the cell cycle and its regulatory proteins

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Radiofrequency field exposed groups did not show any changes in cell morphology and growth compared to the sham exposed group.
Additionally, there were no changes in the activity of superoxide dismutase, in the level of glutathione/glutathione disulfide and in the level of reactive oxygen species in exposed cells in comparison to sham exposed cells.
In contrast, ionizing radiation exposed cells showed evident changes in all measured biological endpoints.
The authors conclude that neither single nor combined exposures to a radiofrequency field elicit oxidative stress in human breast epithelium cells under the examined exposure conditions.

Study character:

Study funded by

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