Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Electromagnetic radiation at 835 MHz changes the morphology and inhibits proliferation of a human astrocytoma cell line med./bio.

Published in: Bioelectrochem Bioenerg 1997; 43 (1): 13-18

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To examine the effects of a continuous electromagnetic field on cellular characteristics such as cell proliferation and morphology in cultured human astrocytoma cells in vitro.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 864.3 MHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: repeated daily exposure, 3 x 20 min/day (at 4-h intervals), for 7 days
Exposure 2: 864.3 MHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: repeated daily exposure, 3 x 20 min/day (at 4-h intervals), for 7 days

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 864.3 MHz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration repeated daily exposure, 3 x 20 min/day (at 4-h intervals), for 7 days
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup The samples in 75 cm² culture flasks were placed on a wooden platform and 0.04 m above the mid-plane of an aluminium box of 1.10 m internal side length. The antenna was mounted horizontally at the centre of the mid-plane.
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info The antenna produced a magnetic field on the mid-plane of the box, essentially along the vertical or z-axis direction of the box. The electric field was transverse in the xy plane. Control cells were placed in the Faraday cage but without irradiation.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power 2 W - - - -
power density 2.4 mW/cm² spatial average measured - -
power density 8.1 mW/cm² maximum measured - ± 3 mW/cm²
SAR 8.96 W/kg mean measured - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 864.3 MHz
Type
Waveform
Exposure duration repeated daily exposure, 3 x 20 min/day (at 4-h intervals), for 7 days
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power 10 W - - - -
power density 40 mW/cm² maximum measured - ± 15 mW/cm²

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

It could be demonstrated that exposure of an astrocytoma cell line to an electromagnetic field is capabel of altering cell morphology and of inhibiting cell proliferation, as indicated by DNA synthesis, at power densities similar to those emitted by mobile cell phones. At 5-fold higher power densities, no effect on cell proliferation was observed, although cell morphology was altered.

Study character:

Study funded by

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