Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Exposure to low level GSM 935 MHZ radiofrequency fields does not induce apoptosis in proliferating or differentiated murine neuroblastoma cells med./bio.

By: Moquet J, Ainsbury E, Bouffler S, Lloyd D

Published in: Radiat Prot Dosimetry 2008; 131 (3): 287-296

Aim of study (acc. to author)

This study was performed to examine whether radiofrequency fields characteristic of mobile phones at non-thermal levels can induce apoptosis in murine neuroblastoma cells in both proliferating and differentiated states.

Background/further details

The positive controls were X-ray (4 Gy) treated cells.

Endpoint

cell viability/cell division/proliferation: apoptosis

Exposure

- mobile communications
- digital mobile phone
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 935 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for 24 h	SAR: 2 W/kg mean
Exposure 2: 935 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for 24 h	SAR: 2 W/kg mean
Exposure 3: 935 MHz Modulation type: CW Exposure duration: continuous for 24 h	SAR: 2 W/kg mean

General information

The complete detail of the exposure apparatus, the signal profile, the exposure geometry and dosimetry have been described in [Schuderer et al., 2004].

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	935 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Charakteristic	guided field
Exposure duration	continuous for 24 h

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Repetition frequency	217 Hz
Additional info	GSM basic

Exposure setup

Exposure source	waveguide rectangular
Chamber	Two identical waveguide cavities were placed in a tissue culture incubator maintained at 37°C with a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO₂ in air. They were randomly assigned for RF or sham exposure. Good exposure and environmental control was achieved using field sensors, air temperature sensors, and an optimised airflow system.
Setup	Cells were seeded into 35-mm Petri dishes in 3 ml of growth medium 24 h before any treatment and were placed inside the waveguides one hour before exposure. A specially designed holder allowed eight 35-mm Petri dishes to be placed accurately inside each chamber.
Sham exposure	A sham exposure was conducted.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	2 W/kg	mean	-	-	-

Additional parameter details

Cells irradiated at room temperature with 4.0 Gy of 250 kVp X-rays at a dose rate of 1.0 Gy/min were used as a positive control together with a zero dose control.

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Frequency	935 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Charakteristic	guided field
Exposure duration	continuous for 24 h

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Repetition frequency	217 Hz
Additional info	GSM talk (random changes between GSM basic and GSM DTX)

Exposure setup

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

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	2 W/kg	mean	-	-	-

Exposure 3

Main characteristics

Frequency	935 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Charakteristic	guided field
Exposure duration	continuous for 24 h

Modulation

Modulation type	CW

Exposure setup

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

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	2 W/kg	mean	-	-	-

Reference articles

Schuderer J et al. (2004): In Vitro Exposure Systems for RF Exposures at 900 MHz

Exposed system:

intact cell/cell culture
murine neuroblastoma cell line (N2a)

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

cell viability/cell division/proliferation: apoptosis levels in at least 1000 cells 0-48 hours post exposure (Annexin V-, caspase activation assay, and TUNEL assay: fluorescence microscope)

Investigated system:

intact cell/cell culture

Investigated organ system:

brain/CNS

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

No statistically significant differences in apoptosis levels were found between the exposed and sham-exposed murine neuroblastoma cells neither in proliferating nor in differentiated state using the three assays at any time point post-radiofrequency irradiation.

Study character:

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

Study funded by

Forschungsstiftung Mobilkommunikation (FSM; Research Foundation on Mobile Communication; at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH)), Switzerland

Esmekaya MA et al. (2017): Mitochondrial hyperpolarization and cytochrome-c release in microwave-exposed MCF-7 cells
Kayhan H et al. (2016): Does MW Radiation Affect Gene Expression, Apoptotic Level, and Cell Cycle Progression of Human SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells?
Cig B et al. (2015): Investigation of the effects of distance from sources on apoptosis, oxidative stress and cytosolic calcium accumulation via TRPV1 channels induced by mobile phones and Wi-Fi in breast cancer cells
Liu YX et al. (2015): Exposure to 3G mobile phone signals does not affect the biological features of brain tumor cells
Naziroglu M et al. (2012): 2.45-Gz wireless devices induce oxidative stress and proliferation through cytosolic Ca(2+) influx in human leukemia cancer cells
Zeni O et al. (2012): Radiofrequency radiation at 1950 MHz (UMTS) does not affect key cellular endpoints in neuron-like PC12 cells
Liu YX et al. (2012): Exposure to 1950-MHz TD-SCDMA Electromagnetic Fields Affects the Apoptosis of Astrocytes via Caspase-3-Dependent Pathway
Trillo MA et al. (2011): Cytostatic response of NB69 cells to weak pulse-modulated 2.2 GHz radar-like signals
Ait-Aissa S et al. (2010): In situ detection of gliosis and apoptosis in the brains of young rats exposed in utero to a Wi-Fi signal
Yilmaz F et al. (2008): Whole-body exposure of radiation emitted from 900 MHz mobile phones does not seem to affect the levels of anti-apoptotic bcl-2 protein
Buttiglione M et al. (2007): Radiofrequency radiation (900 MHz) induces Egr-1 gene expression and affects cell-cycle control in human neuroblastoma cells
Hsu CC et al. (2006): Effects of Electrical Acupuncture on Acupoint BL15 Evaluated in Terms of Heart Rate Variability, Pulse Rate Variability and Skin Conductance Response
Joubert V et al. (2006): Microwave exposure of neuronal cells in vitro: Study of apoptosis
Gurisik E et al. (2006): An in vitro study of the effects of exposure to a GSM signal in two human cell lines: monocytic U937 and neuroblastoma SK-N-SH

Exposure to low level GSM 935 MHZ radiofrequency fields does not induce apoptosis in proliferating or differentiated murine neuroblastoma cells med./bio.

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Background/further details

Endpoint

Exposure

General information

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Additional parameter details

Exposure 2

Main characteristics

Modulation

Exposure setup

Parameters

Exposure 3

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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