The effect of a high frequency electromagnetic field in the microwave range on red blood cells.

Scientific reports · 2017 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4905

Study snapshot

PublicationScientific reports · 2017

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The effect of red blood cells (RBC) exposed to an 18 GHz electromagnetic field (EMF) was studied. The results of this study demonstrated for the first time that exposure of RBCs to 18 GHz EMF has the capacity to induce nanospheres uptake in RBCs. The uptake of nanospheres (loading efficiency 96% and 46% for 23.5 and 46.3 nm nanospheres respectively), their presence and locality were confirmed using three independent techniques, namely scanning electron microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. It appeared that 23.5 nm nanospheres were translocated through the membrane into the cytosol, while the 46.3 nm-nanospheres were mostly translocated through the phospholipid-cholesterol bilayer, with only some of these nanospheres passing the 2D cytoskeleton network. The nanospheres uptake increased by up to 12% with increasing temperature from 33 to 37 °C. The TEM analysis revealed that the nanospheres were engulfed by the cell membrane itself, and then translocated into the cytosol. It is believed that EMF-induced rotating water dipoles caused disturbance of the membrane, initiating its deformation and result in an enhanced degree of membrane trafficking via a quasi-exocytosis process.

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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 typein_vitro

Effect directionmixed

PopulationRed blood cells (RBCs)

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposuremicrowave · 18000 MHz

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Exposure of RBCs to an 18 GHz EMF was reported to induce uptake of nanospheres into RBCs, with loading efficiencies of 96% (23.5 nm) and 46% (46.3 nm). Imaging indicated 23.5 nm nanospheres were translocated into the cytosol, while 46.3 nm nanospheres were mostly associated with the phospholipid-cholesterol bilayer, with some passing the cytoskeleton network. Uptake increased by up to 12% as temperature increased from 33 to 37 °C.

Outcomes measured

Nanosphere uptake/loading efficiency in RBCs
Nanosphere localization/translocation (membrane vs cytosol) assessed by SEM, confocal microscopy, TEM
Temperature dependence of nanosphere uptake (33–37 °C)

Limitations

Exposure duration not reported in abstract
SAR/dosimetry not reported in abstract
Sample size and replication not reported in abstract
In vitro study on RBCs; generalizability to in vivo health outcomes is unclear from abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 18000,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Red blood cells (RBCs)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Nanosphere uptake/loading efficiency in RBCs",
    "Nanosphere localization/translocation (membrane vs cytosol) assessed by SEM, confocal microscopy, TEM",
    "Temperature dependence of nanosphere uptake (33–37 °C)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Exposure of RBCs to an 18 GHz EMF was reported to induce uptake of nanospheres into RBCs, with loading efficiencies of 96% (23.5 nm) and 46% (46.3 nm). Imaging indicated 23.5 nm nanospheres were translocated into the cytosol, while 46.3 nm nanospheres were mostly associated with the phospholipid-cholesterol bilayer, with some passing the cytoskeleton network. Uptake increased by up to 12% as temperature increased from 33 to 37 °C.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure duration not reported in abstract",
    "SAR/dosimetry not reported in abstract",
    "Sample size and replication not reported in abstract",
    "In vitro study on RBCs; generalizability to in vivo health outcomes is unclear from abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "18 GHz",
    "microwave",
    "electromagnetic field",
    "red blood cells",
    "RBC",
    "nanospheres",
    "nanoparticles",
    "membrane trafficking",
    "TEM",
    "SEM",
    "confocal microscopy",
    "temperature"
  ],
  "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: 10.1038/s41598-017-11288-9
PubMed: 28883444

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