Apoptotic cell death during Drosophila oogenesis is differentially increased by electromagnetic radiation depending on modulation, intensity and duration of exposure.

Electromagnetic biology and medicine · 2016 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 4656

Study snapshot

PublicationElectromagnetic biology and medicine · 2016

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Present generations are being repeatedly exposed to different types and doses of non-ionizing radiation (NIR) from wireless technologies (FM radio, TETRA and TV stations, GSM and UMTS phones/base stations, Wi-Fi networks, DECT phones). Although there is controversy on the published data regarding the non-thermal effects of NIR, studies have convincingly demonstrated bioeffects. Their results indicate that modulation, intensity, exposure duration and model system are important factors determining the biological response to irradiation. Attempting to address the dependence of NIR bioeffectiveness on these factors, apoptosis in the model biological system Drosophila melanogaster was studied under different exposure protocols. A signal generator was used operating alternatively under Continuous Wave (CW) or Frequency Modulation (FM) emission modes, at three power output values (10 dB, 0, -10 dB), under four carrier frequencies (100, 395, 682, 900 MHz). Newly emerged flies were exposed either acutely (6 min or 60 min on the 6th day), or repeatedly (6 min or 60 min daily for the first 6 days of their life). All exposure protocols resulted in an increase of apoptotic cell death (ACD) observed in egg chambers, even at very low electric field strengths. FM waves seem to have a stronger effect in ACD than continuous waves. Regarding intensity and temporal exposure pattern, EMF-biological tissue interaction is not linear in response. Intensity threshold for the induction of biological effects depends on frequency, modulation and temporal exposure pattern with unknown so far mechanisms. Given this complexity, translating such experimental data into possible human exposure guidelines is yet arbitrary.

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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 typeanimal

Effect directionharm

PopulationDrosophila melanogaster (newly emerged flies); apoptosis assessed during oogenesis (egg chambers)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · Acute: 6 or 60 min on day 6; Repeated: 6 or 60 min daily for first 6 days

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Across all exposure protocols tested (CW vs FM modulation; three power outputs; four carrier frequencies 100, 395, 682, 900 MHz; acute or repeated exposures), apoptotic cell death in egg chambers increased, including at very low electric field strengths. FM-modulated waves appeared to induce stronger increases in ACD than continuous wave exposure, and the intensity/temporal pattern response was described as non-linear.

Outcomes measured

Apoptotic cell death (ACD) in egg chambers during oogenesis

Limitations

No sample size reported in abstract
No SAR or quantified electric field strength values reported in abstract
Mechanisms described as unknown
Authors note translation to human exposure guidelines is arbitrary

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "signal generator (experimental exposure)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Acute: 6 or 60 min on day 6; Repeated: 6 or 60 min daily for first 6 days"
  },
  "population": "Drosophila melanogaster (newly emerged flies); apoptosis assessed during oogenesis (egg chambers)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Apoptotic cell death (ACD) in egg chambers during oogenesis"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Across all exposure protocols tested (CW vs FM modulation; three power outputs; four carrier frequencies 100, 395, 682, 900 MHz; acute or repeated exposures), apoptotic cell death in egg chambers increased, including at very low electric field strengths. FM-modulated waves appeared to induce stronger increases in ACD than continuous wave exposure, and the intensity/temporal pattern response was described as non-linear.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "No sample size reported in abstract",
    "No SAR or quantified electric field strength values reported in abstract",
    "Mechanisms described as unknown",
    "Authors note translation to human exposure guidelines is arbitrary"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "non-ionizing radiation",
    "RF",
    "Drosophila melanogaster",
    "oogenesis",
    "apoptosis",
    "continuous wave",
    "frequency modulation",
    "100 MHz",
    "395 MHz",
    "682 MHz",
    "900 MHz",
    "exposure duration",
    "intensity"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Abstract discusses implications/limitations for translating experimental findings into human exposure guidelines."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.3109/15368378.2014.971959
PubMed: 25333897

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