Transient DNA damage induced by high-frequency electromagnetic fields (GSM 1.8 GHz) in the human trophoblast HTR-8/SVneo cell line evaluated with the alkaline comet assay.

Mutation research · 2010 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4412

Amplitude-modulated GSM signals (GSM-217 Hz and GSM-Talk) at 1.8 GHz induced a significant increase in DNA damage markers after 16 and 24 hours of exposure in human trophoblast cells, while continuous wave exposure was ineffective. DNA integrity was restored …

Study snapshot

PublicationMutation research · 2010

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

One of the most controversial issue regarding high-frequency electromagnetic fields (HF-EMF) is their putative capacity to affect DNA integrity. This is of particular concern due to the increasing use of HF-EMF in communication technologies, including mobile phones. Although epidemiological studies report no detrimental effects on human health, the possible disturbance generated by HF-EMF on cell physiology remains controversial. In addition, the question remains as to whether cells are able to compensate their potential effects. We have previously reported that a 1-h exposure to amplitude-modulated 1.8 GHz sinusoidal waves (GSM-217 Hz, SAR=2 W/kg) largely used in mobile telephony did not cause increased levels of primary DNA damage in human trophoblast HTR-8/SVneo cells. Nevertheless, further investigations on trophoblast cell responses after exposure to GSM signals of different types and durations were considered of interest. In the present work, HTR-8/SVneo cells were exposed for 4, 16 or 24h to 1.8 GHz continuous wave (CW) and different GSM signals, namely GSM-217 Hz and GSM-Talk (intermittent exposure: 5 min field on, 10 min field off). The alkaline comet assay was used to evaluate primary DNA damages and/or strand breaks due to uncompleted repair processes in HF-EMF exposed samples. The amplitude-modulated signals GSM-217 Hz and GSM-Talk induced a significant increase in comet parameters in trophoblast cells after 16 and 24h of exposure, while the un-modulated CW was ineffective. However, alterations were rapidly recovered and the DNA integrity of HF-EMF exposed cells was similar to that of sham-exposed cells within 2h of recovery in the absence irradiation. Our data suggest that HF-EMF with a carrier frequency and modulation scheme typical of the GSM signal may affect the DNA integrity.

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 directionmixed

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 1800 MHz · 2 W/kg · 4, 16, or 24 hours

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 50% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

primary DNA damage
strand breaks
DNA integrity

Limitations

in vitro study only
no information on sample size
limited to one cell line
no long-term effects assessed

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 1800,
    "sar_wkg": 2,
    "duration": "4, 16, or 24 hours"
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "primary DNA damage",
    "strand breaks",
    "DNA integrity"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Amplitude-modulated GSM signals (GSM-217 Hz and GSM-Talk) at 1.8 GHz induced a significant increase in DNA damage markers after 16 and 24 hours of exposure in human trophoblast cells, while continuous wave exposure was ineffective. DNA integrity was restored within 2 hours after exposure ceased.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "in vitro study only",
    "no information on sample size",
    "limited to one cell line",
    "no long-term effects assessed"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.5,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "high-frequency electromagnetic fields",
    "GSM",
    "DNA damage",
    "comet assay",
    "human trophoblast cells",
    "mobile phone radiation"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phone-rf",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study investigates DNA damage from GSM 1.8 GHz signals typical of mobile phones."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2009.10.004
PubMed: 19822160

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