Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Exposure to an 890-MHz mobile phone-like signal and serum levels of S100B and transthyretin in volunteers med./bio.

By: Söderqvist F, Carlberg M, Hansson Mild K, Hardell L

Published in: Toxicol Lett 2009; 189 (1): 63-66

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study whether exposure to a mobile phone-like signal alters the integrity of the human blood-brain barrier and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier using peripheral markers (transthyretin and S100B protein).

Background/further details

The protein transthyretin served as marker of alterations of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier. Serum S100B protein was used as a putative marker of blood-brain barrier dysfunction.
The aim of the present study was to investigate previous cross-sectional study results (see Soderqvist et al. 2009a and Soderqvist et al. 2009b) further under more controlled conditions. 41 volunteers were exposed for 30 minutes.

Endpoint

effects on the neurological system: integrity of blood-brain barrier and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier

Exposure

- mobile communications
- digital mobile phone
- GSM

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 890 MHz Modulation type: pulsed Exposure duration: continuous for 30 min	SAR: 1 W/kg average over mass (1 g)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	890 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 30 min

Modulation

Modulation type	pulsed
Pulse width	0.577 ms
Repetition frequency	217 Hz

Exposure setup

Exposure source	cellular phone + wall mounted base station antenna
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	8.5 cm

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
SAR	1 W/kg	average over mass	-	1 g	-

Reference articles

Wilen J et al. (2006): Psychophysiological tests and provocation of subjects with mobile phone related symptoms
Huber R et al. (2003): Radio frequency electromagnetic field exposure in humans: Estimation of SAR distribution in the brain, effects on sleep and heart rate

Exposed system:

human
partial body: head

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on the neurological system: integrity of blood-brain barrier and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (level of transthyretin and S100B protein; immunonephelometric assay and electrochemiluminescence immunoassay)

Investigated system:

isolated bio./chem. substance
blood samples

Investigated organ system:

brain/CNS

Time of investigation:

before exposure
after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data showed no statistically significant increase in the serum levels of S100B protein, while for transthyretin a statistically significant increase was found in the final blood sample 60 minutes after the end of the exposure as compared to the prior sample taken immediately after exposure. The clinical significance of this finding, if any, is unknown. Further randomized studies with use of additional more brain specific markers are needed.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study
provocation study

Study funded by

Cancer och Allergifonden (Cancer and Allergy Foundation), Sweden
Örebro County Council Research Committee, Sweden
Örebro University Hospital Cancer Fund, Sweden

Soderqvist F et al. (2015): Biomarkers in volunteers exposed to mobile phone radiation
Söderqvist F et al. (2012): Use of wireless phones and serum beta-trace protein in randomly recruited persons aged 18-65 years: a cross-sectional study
Hardell L et al. (2010): Exposure to wireless phone emissions and serum beta-trace protein
Söderqvist F et al. (2009): Use of wireless telephones and serum S100B levels: a descriptive cross-sectional study among healthy Swedish adults aged 18-65 years
Söderqvist F et al. (2009): Mobile and cordless telephones, serum transthyretin and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier: a cross-sectional study
McQuade JM et al. (2009): Radiofrequency-radiation exposure does not induce detectable leakage of albumin across the blood-brain barrier
Eberhardt JL et al. (2008): Blood-brain barrier permeability and nerve cell damage in rat brain 14 and 28 days after exposure to microwaves from GSM mobile phones
Ushiyama A et al. (2007): Biological effect on blood cerebrospinal fluid barrier due to radio frequency electromagnetic fields exposure of the rat brain in vivo
Finnie JW et al. (2006): Neonatal mouse brain exposure to mobile telephony and effect on blood-brain barrier permeability