Exposure to wireless phone emissions and serum beta-trace protein.

International journal of molecular medicine · 2010 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4371

Study snapshot

PublicationInternational journal of molecular medicine · 2010

Study typeother

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The lipocalin type of prostaglandin D synthase or beta-trace protein is synthesized in the choroid plexus, lepto-meninges and oligodendrocytes of the central nervous system and is secreted into the cerebrospinal fluid. beta-trace protein is the key enzyme in the synthesis of prostaglandin D2, an endogenous sleep-promoting neurohormone in the brain. Electromagnetic fields (EMF) in the radio frequency (RF) range have in some studies been associated with disturbed sleep. We studied the concentration of beta-trace protein in blood in relation to emissions from wireless phones. This study included 62 persons aged 18-30 years. The concentration of beta-trace protein decreased with increasing number of years of use of a wireless phone yielding a negative beta coefficient = -0.32, 95% confidence interval -0.60 to -0.04. Also cumulative use in hours gave a negative beta coefficient, although not statistically significant. Of the 62 persons, 40 participated in an experimental study with 30 min exposure to an 890-MHz GSM signal. No statistically significant change of beta-trace protein was found. In a similar study of the remaining 22 participitants with no exposure, beta-trace protein increased significantly over time, probably due to a relaxed situation. EMF emissions may down-regulate the synthesis of beta-trace protein. This mechanism might be involved in sleep disturbances reported in persons exposed to RF fields. The results must be interpreted with caution since use of mobile and cordless phones were self-reported. Awareness of exposure condition in the experimental study may have influenced beta-trace protein concentrations.

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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 typeother

Effect directionmixed

PopulationPersons aged 18–30 years

Sample size62

ExposureRF · 890 MHz · 30 min (experimental exposure); years of use and cumulative hours (observational)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In 62 participants, serum beta-trace protein concentration decreased with increasing years of wireless phone use (beta coefficient -0.32, 95% CI -0.60 to -0.04). Cumulative use in hours also showed a negative beta coefficient but was not statistically significant. In an experimental subset (n=40) exposed for 30 min to an 890-MHz GSM signal, no statistically significant change in beta-trace protein was found; in a separate no-exposure group (n=22), beta-trace protein increased significantly over time.

Outcomes measured

Serum beta-trace protein (lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase) concentration

Limitations

Mobile and cordless phone use was self-reported.
Participants were aware of exposure condition in the experimental study, which may have influenced beta-trace protein concentrations.
Cumulative hours association was not statistically significant.
No SAR reported for the 890-MHz GSM exposure.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "wireless phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 890,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "30 min (experimental exposure); years of use and cumulative hours (observational)"
  },
  "population": "Persons aged 18–30 years",
  "sample_size": 62,
  "outcomes": [
    "Serum beta-trace protein (lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase) concentration"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In 62 participants, serum beta-trace protein concentration decreased with increasing years of wireless phone use (beta coefficient -0.32, 95% CI -0.60 to -0.04). Cumulative use in hours also showed a negative beta coefficient but was not statistically significant. In an experimental subset (n=40) exposed for 30 min to an 890-MHz GSM signal, no statistically significant change in beta-trace protein was found; in a separate no-exposure group (n=22), beta-trace protein increased significantly over time.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Mobile and cordless phone use was self-reported.",
    "Participants were aware of exposure condition in the experimental study, which may have influenced beta-trace protein concentrations.",
    "Cumulative hours association was not statistically significant.",
    "No SAR reported for the 890-MHz GSM exposure."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "beta-trace protein",
    "lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase",
    "prostaglandin D2",
    "sleep",
    "radiofrequency",
    "wireless phone",
    "mobile phone",
    "cordless phone",
    "GSM",
    "890 MHz",
    "experimental exposure"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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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: 10.3892/ijmm_00000466
PubMed: 20596612

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