Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Anti-inflammatory effects of low-intensity extremely high-frequency electromagnetic radiation: frequency and power dependence med./bio.

By: Gapeyev AB, Mikhailik EN, Chemeris NK

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2008; 29 (3): 197-206

Aim of study (acc. to author)

This in vivo study was conducted to investigate the effects of extremely high frequency electromagnetic field exposure on inflammation in mice.

Background/further details

Inflammation was induced by zymosan injection in the left mouse footpad and became manifest in edema. Adult male mice (2 months of age, 25-30 g in body weight) were used. The animals were sham exposed, extremely high frequency electromagnetic field exposed and treated with drugs which modulate immune response (cyclooxygenase inhibitor diclofenac, antihistamine clemastine). Additionally, cage control was performed.

Endpoint

effects on the immune system: inflammation

Exposure

- 37.5–70 GHz
- RF
- millimeter waves
- also other exposures without EMF
- co-exposure

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 37.5–70 GHz Exposure duration: continuous for 20 min	power density: 0.1 mW/cm² maximum (at the center of the exposure zone) power density: 0.05 mW/cm² minimum (at the walls) SAR: 1.5 W/kg maximum (whole body) SAR: 0.75 W/kg minimum (whole body)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	37.5–70 GHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Charakteristic	far field
Exposure duration	continuous for 20 min

Exposure setup

Exposure source	horn antenna
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	30 cm
Setup	mice in 100 mm x 100 mm x 130 mm plastic containers ; exposed from the top; multi-layer absorbers between animal containers and floor
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power density	0.1 mW/cm²	maximum	-	-	at the center of the exposure zone
power density	0.05 mW/cm²	minimum	-	-	at the walls
SAR	1.5 W/kg	maximum	calculated	whole body	-
SAR	0.75 W/kg	minimum	calculated	whole body	-

Reference articles

Gapeev AB et al. (1996): [Modification of the activity of murine peritoneal neutrophils upon exposure to millimeter waves at close and far distances from the emitter]
Gapeyev AB et al. (1996): Modification of the activity of mouse peritoneal neutrophils on exposure to millimetre waves in the near and far zones of the emitter

Exposed system:

animal
mouse/NMRI
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on the immune system: inflammation (thickness (as indicator of footpad edema) and local temperature of the inflamed paw compared to the normal paw)

Investigated system:

investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

immune system

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The single exposure of animals to extremely high frequency electromagnetic fields at the specific absorption rate of 0.1 mW/cm² for 20 minutes at 1 hour after inflammation induction by zymosan reduced both the footpad edema and local hyperthermia on average by 20% at the frequencies of 42.2, 51.8, and 65 GHz. Some other frequencies from the frequency range of 37.5-70 GHz were less effective or not effective at all. Reduction of the specific absorption rate to 0.01 mW/cm² leaded to diminished decrease in edema.
The co-exposure to electromagnetic fields plus diclofenac resulted in a partial additive effect of decrease in footpad edema. The co-exposure to electromagnetic fields plus clemastine caused a dose-dependent abolishment of the anti-inflammatory effect of the electromagnetic fields.

Study character:

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

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

Gapeyev AB et al. (2011): The role of fatty acids in anti-inflammatory effects of low-intensity extremely high-frequency electromagnetic radiation
Morris CE et al. (2008): Acute exposure to a moderate strength static magnetic field reduces edema formation in rats
Stankiewicz W et al. (2006): Immunotropic influence of 900 MHz microwave GSM signal on human blood immune cells activated in vitro
Lushnikov KV et al. (2005): Comparative Study of Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Low-Intensity Extremely High-Frequency Electromagnetic Radiation and Diclofenac on Footpad Edema in Mice
Lushnikov KV et al. (2004): Effects of low-intensity ultrahigh frequency electromagnetic radiation on inflammatory processes
Gapeev AB et al. (2003): [Effects of low-intensity extremely high frequency electromagnetic radiation on chromatin structure of lymphoid cells in vivo and in vitro]
Makar V et al. (2003): Effect of millimeter waves on cyclophosphamide induced suppression of T cell functions
Lushnikov KV et al. (2002): [Effects of extremely high-frequency electromagnetic radiation on the immune system and systemic regulation of homeostasis]
Lushnikov KV et al. (2001): [Effect of extremely high frequency electromagnetic radiation of low intensity on parameters of humoral immunity in healthy mice]