Reactive oxygen species elevation and recovery in Drosophila bodies and ovaries following short-term and long-term exposure to DECT base EMF.

Electromagnetic biology and medicine · 2014 · Harm · Low evidence

← Research stream

HarmLow evidencePaper 4600

Study snapshot

PublicationElectromagnetic biology and medicine · 2014

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The objective of this study was to approach the basic mechanism(s) underlying reported ovarian apoptotic cell death and fecundity decrease induced by nonionizing radiation (NIR) in Drosophila melanogaster. ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) levels were measured in the bodies and the ovaries of (sexually mature) 4-day-old flies, following exposure for 0.5, 1, 6, 24 and 96 h to a wireless DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telephone) base radiation (1.88-1.90 GHz). Electrical field intensity was 2.7 V/m, measured within the fly vials and calculated SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) value = 0.009 W/Kg. Male and female bodies showed twofold increase in ROS levels (p < 0.001) after 6 h of exposure, slightly increasing with more irradiation (24 and 96 h). Ovaries of exposed females had a quick response in ROS increase after 0.5 h (1.5-fold, p < 0.001), reaching 2.5-fold after 1 h with no elevation thereafter at 6, 24 and 96 h. ROS levels returned to normal, in the male and the female bodies 24 h after 6 h of exposure of the flies (p < 0.05) and in the ovaries 4 h after 1 h exposure of the females (p < 0.05). It is postulated that the pulsed (at 100 Hz rate and 0.08 ms duration) idle state of the DECT base radiation is capable of inducing free radical formation albeit the very low SAR, leading rapidly to accumulation of ROS in a level-saturation manner under continuous exposure, or in a recovery manner after interruption of radiation, possibly due to activation of the antioxidant machinery of the organism.

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 directionharm

PopulationDrosophila melanogaster (sexually mature 4-day-old flies; males and females; ovaries assessed in females)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 1880 MHz · 0.009 W/kg · 0.5, 1, 6, 24 and 96 h

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Male and female bodies showed about a twofold increase in ROS after 6 h exposure (p<0.001), with slight further increase at 24 and 96 h. Female ovaries showed increased ROS after 0.5 h (1.5-fold, p<0.001) and 1 h (2.5-fold) with no further elevation at 6, 24, or 96 h; ROS returned to normal 24 h after a 6 h exposure in bodies (p<0.05) and 4 h after a 1 h exposure in ovaries (p<0.05).

Outcomes measured

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in bodies
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in ovaries
Recovery/return to normal ROS levels after exposure interruption

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Only ROS measured; downstream health/reproductive outcomes not reported here
Exposure conditions are specific (DECT base, 1.88–1.90 GHz, 2.7 V/m, pulsed idle state) and may limit generalizability

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "DECT base station",
    "frequency_mhz": 1880,
    "sar_wkg": 0.009,
    "duration": "0.5, 1, 6, 24 and 96 h"
  },
  "population": "Drosophila melanogaster (sexually mature 4-day-old flies; males and females; ovaries assessed in females)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in bodies",
    "Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in ovaries",
    "Recovery/return to normal ROS levels after exposure interruption"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Male and female bodies showed about a twofold increase in ROS after 6 h exposure (p<0.001), with slight further increase at 24 and 96 h. Female ovaries showed increased ROS after 0.5 h (1.5-fold, p<0.001) and 1 h (2.5-fold) with no further elevation at 6, 24, or 96 h; ROS returned to normal 24 h after a 6 h exposure in bodies (p<0.05) and 4 h after a 1 h exposure in ovaries (p<0.05).",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Only ROS measured; downstream health/reproductive outcomes not reported here",
    "Exposure conditions are specific (DECT base, 1.88–1.90 GHz, 2.7 V/m, pulsed idle state) and may limit generalizability"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "Drosophila melanogaster",
    "DECT",
    "Digital Enhanced Cordless Telephone",
    "base radiation",
    "1.88-1.90 GHz",
    "RF-EMF",
    "SAR",
    "0.009 W/kg",
    "electric field intensity",
    "2.7 V/m",
    "reactive oxygen species",
    "oxidative stress",
    "ovaries",
    "pulsed radiation",
    "100 Hz"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "oxidative-stress-ros",
      "weight": 0.95,
      "reason": "Primary outcome is ROS elevation and recovery following RF exposure."
    }
  ]
}

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: 10.3109/15368378.2013.791991
PubMed: 23781995

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library