Effects of RF-EMF Exposure from GSM Mobile Phones on Proliferation Rate of Human Adipose-derived Stem Cells: An In-vitro Study

2016 · Harm · Low evidence

← Research stream

HarmLow evidencePaper 1347

Proliferation rates in all exposed groups were reported as significantly lower than controls (P<0.05), except the 6 min/day group which did not differ significantly from controls. The authors conclude that 900 MHz RF exposure under these conditions can reduce…

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2016

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Effects of RF-EMF Exposure from GSM Mobile Phones on Proliferation Rate of Human Adipose-derived Stem Cells: An In-vitro Study Shahbazi-Gahrouei D, Hashemi-Beni B, Ahmadi Z. Effects of RF-EMF Exposure from GSM Mobile Phones on Proliferation Rate of Human Adipose-derived Stem Cells: An In-vitro Study. J Biomed Phys Eng. 2016 Dec 1;6(4):243-252. Abstract BACKGROUND: As the use of mobile phones is increasing, public concern about the harmful effects of radiation emitted by these devices is also growing. In addition, protection questions and biological effects are among growing concerns which have remained largely unanswered. Stem cells are useful models to assess the effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on other cell lines. Stem cells are undifferentiated biological cells that can differentiate into specialized cells. Adipose tissue represents an abundant and accessible source of adult stem cells. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of GSM 900 MHz on growth and proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue within the specific distance and intensity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ADSCs were exposed to GSM mobile phones 900 MHz with intensity of 354.6 µW/cm2 square waves (217 Hz pulse frequency, 50% duty cycle), during different exposure times ranging from 6 to 21 min/day for 5 days at 20 cm distance from the antenna. MTT assay was used to determine the growth and metabolism of cells and trypan blue test was also done for cell viability. Statistical analyses were carried out using analysis of one way ANOVA. P<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: The proliferation rates of human ADSCs in all exposure groups were significantly lower than control groups (P<0.05) except in the group of 6 minutes/day which did not show any significant difference with control groups. CONCLUSION: The results show that 900 MHz RF signal radiation from antenna can reduce cell viability and proliferation rates of human ADSCs regarding the duration of exposure. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Excerpts Electromagnetic radiation sources such as cordless phones, telecommunications stations, high-voltage lines, Wi- Fi, wireless, radio and television antenna could be one of the main reasons for human abnormalities if protection protocol recommendations for safety are not used [4]. Since mobile phone cannot be removed from human lives, to protect from the probable effects of radiations, all mobile operators according to CRA (Community Reinvestment Act) agreements with radio communication, must obtain a license to work with radio-waves and microwaves from the radiation protection for installation and the operation of mobile phone equipment. The most of literature and findings of researchers [3-7, 25- 27] agree on the protection methods against irradiation of EMFs. They believe that using some protection methods are recommended like reducing the length of calls, talking to phone in case of emergency, keeping the phone away from vital organs, using special anti-radiation coatings for mobile phones and banning the use of cell phones during pregnancy and childhood, the least presence in environments with high levels of microwave in main stations, consumption of antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, E and green tea in daily diet. Of course, more studies are needed to cover all biological effects of EMFs on living systems. Conclusion Based on the findings of the present study, it is believed that GSM mobile phone 900 MHz with intensity of 354.6 µW/cm2 five times exposure at 20cm distance may inhibit the proliferation rates of human ADSCs, but no mechanism has been proposed to explain the effects of this radiation. However, further studies for assessing RF-EMF with other intensities, frequencies and different exposure times on stem cells are suggested.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typein_vitro

Effect directionharm

PopulationHuman adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) in vitro

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 900 MHz · 6–21 min/day for 5 days; 20 cm distance; intensity 354.6 µW/cm²; 217 Hz pulse frequency, 50% duty cycle

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Cell proliferation rate
Cell viability
Cell growth/metabolism (MTT assay)

Limitations

In vitro cell study; findings may not translate to human health outcomes
Sample size and replication details not provided in the abstract
Mechanism not proposed/explained
Exposure characterization limited (e.g., SAR not reported)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "publication_year": 2016,
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "GSM mobile phone (antenna)",
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "6–21 min/day for 5 days; 20 cm distance; intensity 354.6 µW/cm²; 217 Hz pulse frequency, 50% duty cycle"
  },
  "population": "Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) in vitro",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Cell proliferation rate",
    "Cell viability",
    "Cell growth/metabolism (MTT assay)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Proliferation rates in all exposed groups were reported as significantly lower than controls (P<0.05), except the 6 min/day group which did not differ significantly from controls. The authors conclude that 900 MHz RF exposure under these conditions can reduce cell viability and proliferation in a duration-dependent manner.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro cell study; findings may not translate to human health outcomes",
    "Sample size and replication details not provided in the abstract",
    "Mechanism not proposed/explained",
    "Exposure characterization limited (e.g., SAR not reported)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "stance": "concern",
  "stance_confidence": 0.74,
  "summary": "This in-vitro study exposed human adipose-derived stem cells to a 900 MHz GSM signal from a mobile phone antenna at 354.6 µW/cm² for 6–21 minutes per day over 5 days. The authors report significantly reduced proliferation in all exposure groups except 6 minutes/day, and conclude that longer exposures can reduce viability and proliferation. No mechanism is proposed, and the abstract does not report sample size or SAR.",
  "key_points": [
    "Human adipose-derived stem cells were exposed in vitro to 900 MHz GSM RF-EMF at 354.6 µW/cm² and 20 cm distance.",
    "Exposure occurred for 6–21 minutes per day over 5 days with a 217 Hz pulse frequency and 50% duty cycle.",
    "MTT assay and trypan blue testing were used to assess growth/metabolism and viability.",
    "All exposure durations except 6 minutes/day showed significantly lower proliferation than controls (P<0.05).",
    "The authors conclude reduced viability and proliferation depends on exposure duration.",
    "The abstract does not provide sample size, SAR, or a biological mechanism for the reported effects."
  ],
  "categories": [
    "RF-EMF",
    "Mobile Phones",
    "In Vitro",
    "Cell Biology"
  ],
  "tags": [
    "900 MHz",
    "Adipose-Derived Stem Cells",
    "Cell Proliferation",
    "Cell Viability",
    "GSM",
    "In Vitro",
    "MTT Assay",
    "Pulsed Signal",
    "Radiofrequency Exposure",
    "Trypan Blue"
  ],
  "keywords": [
    "RF-EMF",
    "GSM",
    "900 MHz",
    "mobile phone",
    "adipose-derived stem cells",
    "mesenchymal stem cells",
    "proliferation",
    "viability",
    "MTT",
    "trypan blue"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "cell-phones",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study examines GSM mobile phone RF exposure effects on cells."
    }
  ],
  "social": {
    "tweet": "In-vitro study: human adipose-derived stem cells exposed to 900 MHz GSM signal (354.6 µW/cm², 6–21 min/day for 5 days) showed reduced proliferation vs controls except at 6 min/day; authors report decreased viability/proliferation with longer exposure.",
    "facebook": "An in-vitro experiment exposed human adipose-derived stem cells to a 900 MHz GSM signal from a mobile phone antenna (354.6 µW/cm², 6–21 min/day for 5 days). The authors report lower proliferation in most exposure groups (except 6 min/day) and conclude viability/proliferation may decrease with longer exposure durations.",
    "linkedin": "Paper summary (in vitro): Human adipose-derived stem cells exposed to 900 MHz GSM RF (354.6 µW/cm²; 6–21 min/day for 5 days; 20 cm) showed reduced proliferation in most exposure groups (except 6 min/day). Authors conclude exposure duration may reduce viability/proliferation; mechanism and SAR not reported in the abstract."
  }
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: Not supplied
PubMed: Not supplied

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library