Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effect of GSM-900 and -1800 signals on the skin of hairless rats. I: 2-hour acute exposures med./bio.

By: Masuda H, Sanchez S, Dulou PE, Haro E, Anane R, Billaudel B, Leveque P, Veyret B

Published in: Int J Radiat Biol 2006; 82 (9): 669-674

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study whether the cells of hairless rat skin are affected by acute local exposure to GSM-900 or -1800 radiofrequency irradiation.

Background/further details

To perform positive controls rats were exposed to UV-B radiation.

Endpoint

morphol./histopathol. changes: effects on skin

Exposure

- mobile communications
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h	SAR: 5.8 W/kg mean (± 0.4 W/kg at 1 mm depth)
Exposure 2: 1,800 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h	SAR: 4.8 W/kg mean (± 0.4 W/kg at 1 mm depth)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	900 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 2 h

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed

Exposure setup

Exposure source	square loop antenna (1 cm x 3 cm)
Setup	Animals were restrained in rocket type plastic tubes and exposed using a loop antenna [Leveque et al., 2004] located on the right side of the back.
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info	For positive control, two rats were exposed to UVB irradiation (400 mJ/cm²).

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	5.8 W/kg	mean	estimated	-	± 0.4 W/kg at 1 mm depth

Measurement and calculation details

A series of measurements of the SAR distribution made at various depths (1, 3, 7 mm) using a temperature probe and a gel phantom gave the indicated estimates of the SAR at the skin level (1 mm depth). SAR levels on the opposite side were negligible.

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Frequency	1,800 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 2 h

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed

Exposure setup

Exposure source	same setup as exposure 1
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	4.8 W/kg	mean	estimated	-	± 0.4 W/kg at 1 mm depth

Reference articles

Leveque P et al. (2004): Dosimetric Analysis of a 900-MHz Rat Head Exposure System

Exposed system:

animal
rat/hairless (IFFA CREDO)
partial body: back

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

cell viability/cell division/proliferation: epidermal cell proliferation (Ki-67 detection; immunohistochemistry)
morphol./histopathol. changes: skin biopsy (skin/epidermis thickness (hematoxylin-eosin saffron stain), skin irritation, cellular necrosis; histological analysis of the epidermis using various biomarkers (filaggrin, collagen, and elastin localization (immunohistochemistry))
body weight

Investigated system:

intact cell/cell culture
tissue slices
investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No major histological alterations were found in the studied cellular parameters immediately after the 2 h local exposure to GSM-900- or -1800. No difference in epidermis thickness was detected among the animal groups. Radiofrequency exposure did not affect cell proliferation. Filaggrin, collagen, and elastin were not modified by exposure to GSM-900 or -1800 signals.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study
blind study

Study funded by

Aquitaine Research Council, France
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS; French National Center for Scientific Research), France
France Telecom

Ceyhan AM et al. (2012): Protective effects of beta-glucan against oxidative injury induced by 2.45-GHz electromagnetic radiation in the skin tissue of rats
Dasdag S et al. (2011): Effect of extremely low frequency magnetic field and mobile phone exposure on nasal mucosa and nose skin
Sanchez S et al. (2008): Effect of GSM-900 and -1800 signals on the skin of hairless rats. III: Expression of heat shock proteins
Johansson A et al. (2008): No effect of mobile phone-like RF exposure on patients with atopic dermatitis
Alvarez N et al. (2008): The effects of radiofrequency on skin: Experimental study
Sanchez S et al. (2007): In Vitro Study of the Stress Response of Human Skin Cells to GSM-1800 Mobile Phone Signals Compared to UVB Radiation and Heat Shock
Sanchez S et al. (2006): Human skin cell stress response to GSM-900 mobile phone signals. In vitro study on isolated primary cells and reconstructed epidermis
Sanchez S et al. (2006): Effect of GSM-900 and -1800 signals on the skin of hairless rats. II: 12-week chronic exposures
Huang TQ et al. (2005): Effect of radiofrequency radiation exposure on mouse skin tumorigenesis initiated by 7,12-dimethybenz[alpha]anthracene
Duranti G et al. (2005): In Vitro Evaluation of Biological Effects on Human Keratinocytes Exposed to 900 MHz Electromagnetic Field
Ayata A et al. (2004): Oxidative stress-mediated skin damage in an experimental mobile phone model can be prevented by melatonin
Özgüner F et al. (2004): Prevention of mobile phone induced skin tissue changes by melatonin in rat: an experimental study
Heikkinen P et al. (2003): Effects of mobile phone radiation on UV-induced skin tumourigenesis in ornithine decarboxylase transgenic and non-transgenic mice
Pacini S et al. (2002): Exposure to global system for mobile communication (GSM) cellular phone radiofrequency alters gene expression, proliferation, and morphology of human skin fibroblasts
Imaida K et al. (2001): Lack of promotion of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-initiated mouse skin carcinogenesis by 1.5 GHz electromagnetic near fields

Effect of GSM-900 and -1800 signals on the skin of hairless rats. I: 2-hour acute exposures med./bio.

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Background/further details

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Measurement and calculation details

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Reference articles

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Study funded by

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