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Exposure to 1950-MHz TD-SCDMA electromagnetic fields affects the apoptosis of astrocytes via caspase-3-dependent pathway.

PloS one · 2012 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4507

Exposure to 1950-MHz TD-SCDMA for 48 h damaged mitochondria and induced significant apoptosis in rat astrocytes, with increased caspase-3 and bax expression and reduced bcl-2. Tumorigenicity assays found astrocytes did not form tumors in either control or exp…

Study snapshot

PublicationPloS one · 2012
Study typeanimal
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The usage of mobile phone increases globally. However, there is still a paucity of data about the impact of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on human health. This study investigated whether EMF radiation would alter the biology of glial cells and act as a tumor-promoting agent. We exposed rat astrocytes and C6 glioma cells to 1950-MHz TD-SCDMA for 12, 24 and 48 h respectively, and found that EMF exposure had differential effects on rat astroctyes and C6 glioma cells. A 48 h of exposure damaged the mitochondria and induced significant apoptosis of astrocytes. Moreover, caspase-3, a hallmark of apoptosis, was highlighted in astrocytes after 48 h of EMF exposure, accompanied by a significantly increased expression of bax and reduced level of bcl-2. The tumorigenicity assays demonstrated that astrocytes did not form tumors in both control and exposure groups. In contrast, the unexposed and exposed C6 glioma cells show no significant differences in both biological feature and tumor formation ability. Therefore, our results implied that exposure to the EMF of 1950-MHz TD-SCDMA may not promote the tumor formation, but continuous exposure damaged the mitochondria of astrocytes and induce apoptosis through a caspase-3-dependent pathway with the involvement of bax and bcl-2.

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 typeanimal
Effect directionmixed
PopulationRat astrocytes and C6 glioma cells (in vitro exposure); tumorigenicity assays mentioned
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF · 1950 MHz · 12, 24, and 48 h
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Exposure to 1950-MHz TD-SCDMA for 48 h damaged mitochondria and induced significant apoptosis in rat astrocytes, with increased caspase-3 and bax expression and reduced bcl-2. Tumorigenicity assays found astrocytes did not form tumors in either control or exposed groups, and exposed C6 glioma cells showed no significant differences versus unexposed in biological features or tumor formation ability.

Outcomes measured

  • Astrocyte apoptosis
  • Mitochondrial damage
  • Caspase-3 expression
  • Bax expression
  • Bcl-2 level
  • Tumorigenicity/tumor formation ability
  • Biological features of C6 glioma cells

Limitations

  • Specific absorption rate (SAR) not reported in abstract
  • Sample size not reported in abstract
  • Study uses rat astrocytes and a glioma cell line; generalizability to human health not established in abstract
  • Exposure conditions beyond frequency and duration (e.g., power density, modulation details) not provided in abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 1950,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "12, 24, and 48 h"
  },
  "population": "Rat astrocytes and C6 glioma cells (in vitro exposure); tumorigenicity assays mentioned",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Astrocyte apoptosis",
    "Mitochondrial damage",
    "Caspase-3 expression",
    "Bax expression",
    "Bcl-2 level",
    "Tumorigenicity/tumor formation ability",
    "Biological features of C6 glioma cells"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Exposure to 1950-MHz TD-SCDMA for 48 h damaged mitochondria and induced significant apoptosis in rat astrocytes, with increased caspase-3 and bax expression and reduced bcl-2. Tumorigenicity assays found astrocytes did not form tumors in either control or exposed groups, and exposed C6 glioma cells showed no significant differences versus unexposed in biological features or tumor formation ability.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Specific absorption rate (SAR) not reported in abstract",
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Study uses rat astrocytes and a glioma cell line; generalizability to human health not established in abstract",
    "Exposure conditions beyond frequency and duration (e.g., power density, modulation details) not provided in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "1950 MHz",
    "TD-SCDMA",
    "RF-EMF",
    "astrocytes",
    "C6 glioma",
    "apoptosis",
    "mitochondria",
    "caspase-3",
    "bax",
    "bcl-2",
    "tumorigenicity"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study frames exposure as mobile-phone-related RF (1950-MHz TD-SCDMA)."
    },
    {
      "slug": "rf-cell-studies",
      "weight": 0.85,
      "reason": "In vitro exposure of astrocytes and glioma cells with apoptosis/mitochondrial outcomes."
    }
  ]
}
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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: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042332
PubMed: 22870319

Read the original paper →

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