Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Exposure to cell phone radiation up-regulates apoptosis genes in primary cultures of neurons and astrocytes med./bio.

Published in: Neurosci Lett 2007; 412 (1): 34-38

Aim of study (acc. to author)

This study investigated whether expression of genes related to cell death signal pathways are altered in murine brain cells by the exposure to a working Global System for Mobile Communication cell phone in vitro.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 1,900 MHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: continuous for 2 h
-

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 1,900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 2 h
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Additional info

GSM

Exposure setup
Exposure source
Setup Cell cultures were plated in 2 ml of medium with 4 mm depth in 35-mm Petri dishes. For exposure, a mobile phone was placed on top with its antenna over the center and the cover of the dish removed.
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Additional info The phone was either on (exposed) or standby (sham).
Parameters

No parameters are specified for this exposure.

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The exposure to radiofrequency irradiation from a cell phone leaded to up-regulation of eight genes (amongst others caspase-2, caspase-6) in both "on" and "stand-by" modes in neurons, but only in "on" mode in astrocytes. Additionally, astrocytes showed up-regulation of the bax gene, a gene which regulates signal transduction on mitochondrial level.
These data indicate that even short-term exposure to cell phone radiofrequency emissions can up-regulate elements of apoptotic signal pathways in cells derived from the brain, and that neurons seem to be more sensitive to this effect than astrocytes.

Study character:

Study funded by

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