Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Enhancement of chemically induced reactive oxygen species production and DNA damage in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells by 872 MHz radiofrequency radiation med./bio.

Published in: Mutation Research - Fundamental and Molecular Mechanism of Mutagenesis 2009; 662 (1-2): 54-58

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the effects of 872 MHz radiofrequency irradiation at a relatively high SAR value (5 W/kg; isothermal condition) on intracellular reactive oxygen species production and whether a possible effect is linked to DNA damage.

Background/further details

Co-exposure to radiofrequency irradiation and menadione, a chemical inducing intracellular reactive oxygen species production and DNA damage, was also performed.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 872 MHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: continuous for 1 h
Exposure 2: 872 MHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: continuous for 1 h

General information

cells were treated in four groups: i) menadione only ii) RF only iii) RF + menadione iv) sham RF exposure

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 872 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 1 h
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 5 W/kg - - - -

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 872 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 1 h
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Repetition frequency 217 Hz
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 5 W/kg - - - -

Reference articles

  • Höytö A et al. (2006): Modest increase in temperature affects ODC activity in L929 cells: Low-level radiofrequency radiation does not

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

"Continuous wave radiofrequency + menadione" exposure increased DNA breakage in comparison to the cells exposed to menadione only. Comparison of the same groups also showed that reactive oxygen species level was higher in cells exposed to radiofrequency irradiation (CW) at 30 and 60 min after the end of exposure. Radiofrequency exposure alone did not induce DNA damage.
No effects of the GSM signal were found for neither reactive oxygen species production nor DNA damage.
Radiofrequency exposure (with or without menadione) did not significantly affect cell viability.
The data suggest that 872 MHz continuous wave radiofrequency exposure at 5 W/kg might enhance chemically induced reactive oxygen species production and thus cause secondary DNA damage. However, there is no known mechanism that would explain such effects from continuous wave radiofrequency exposure but not from GSM modulated radiofrequency irradiation at identical SAR.

Study character:

Study funded by

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