Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

In vitro lymphocyte proliferation induced by radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation under isothermal conditions med./bio.

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 1990; 11 (1): 47-56

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The study was designed to determine in human peripheral blood lymphocytes: 1) If continuous wave (CW) radiofrequency radiation (RF) directly affects lymphocytes independently of radiation-induced heating; 2) dose-response relationships for radiofrequency-induced alterations; and 3) relative effects of two RF frequencies (27 and 2450 MHz).

Background/further details

Immediately after exposure, mononuclear cells were separated from blood by density-gradient centrifugation and cultured for 3 days at 37°C with or without mitogenic stimulation by phytohemagglutinin (PHA).

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 27 MHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: 2 h
  • SAR: 5 mW/g unspecified (unspecified)
  • SAR: 196 mW/g unspecified (unspecified) (814 V/m corresponding electric field)
  • SAR: 50 mW/g unspecified (unspecified) (208 V/m corresponding electric field)
  • SAR: 25 mW/g unspecified (unspecified) (104 V/m corresponding electric field)
Exposure 2: 2.45 GHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: 2 h
  • SAR: 5 mW/g unspecified (unspecified)
  • SAR: 50 mW/g unspecified (unspecified) (145 V/m corresponding electric field)
  • SAR: 25 mW/g unspecified (unspecified) (72.5 V/m corresponding electric field)
  • SAR: 39.5 mW/g unspecified (unspecified) (114.5 V/m corresponding electric field)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 27 MHz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration 2 h
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
  • not specified
Additional info RF-exposure chamber. Pls.see reference for detail on exposure set-up .
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 5 mW/g unspecified unspecified unspecified -
SAR 196 mW/g unspecified unspecified unspecified 814 V/m corresponding electric field
SAR 50 mW/g unspecified unspecified unspecified 208 V/m corresponding electric field
SAR 25 mW/g unspecified unspecified unspecified 104 V/m corresponding electric field

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 2.45 GHz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration 2 h
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Additional info RF-exposure chamber. Pls.see reference for detail on exposure set-up .
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 5 mW/g unspecified unspecified unspecified -
SAR 50 mW/g unspecified unspecified unspecified 145 V/m corresponding electric field
SAR 25 mW/g unspecified unspecified unspecified 72.5 V/m corresponding electric field
SAR 39.5 mW/g unspecified unspecified unspecified 114.5 V/m corresponding electric field

Reference articles

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The results indicate a direct, athermal effect of radiofrequency radiation on human lymphocyte proliferation. A single 2-h radiation at either frequency caused a consistent, statistically significant, dose-dependent biphasic modulation of lymphocyte proliferation in both phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulated and unstimulated cultures. Exposure at either frequency at specific absorption rates (SARs) below 50 W/kg resulted in a dose-dependent, statistically significant increase of [³H]-thymidine uptake in PHA-activated or unstimulated lymphocytes. Exposure at 50 W/kg or higher suppressed [³H]-thymidine uptake relative to that of sham-exposed cells. There were no detectable effects of radiofrequency exposure on lymphocyte morphology or viability.

Study character:

Study funded by

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