Mobile phone radiation might alter protein expression in human skin.

BMC genomics · 2008 · Mixed · Very low evidence

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MixedVery low evidencePaper 5028

In a pilot study, a small area of forearm skin in 10 female volunteers was locally exposed to RF-EMF (SAR 1.3 W/kg) and compared with non-exposed skin from the same individuals. Proteomics analysis identified 8 proteins with statistically significant expressi…

Study snapshot

PublicationBMC genomics · 2008

Study typeother

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Earlier we have shown that the mobile phone radiation (radiofrequency modulated electromagnetic fields; RF-EMF) alters protein expression in human endothelial cell line. This does not mean that similar response will take place in human body exposed to this radiation. Therefore, in this pilot human volunteer study, using proteomics approach, we have examined whether a local exposure of human skin to RF-EMF will cause changes in protein expression in living people. RESULTS: Small area of forearm's skin in 10 female volunteers was exposed to RF-EMF (specific absorption rate SAR = 1.3 W/kg) and punch biopsies were collected from exposed and non-exposed areas of skin. Proteins extracted from biopsies were separated using 2-DE and protein expression changes were analyzed using PDQuest software. Analysis has identified 8 proteins that were statistically significantly affected (Anova and Wilcoxon tests). Two of the proteins were present in all 10 volunteers. This suggests that protein expression in human skin might be affected by the exposure to RF-EMF. The number of affected proteins was similar to the number of affected proteins observed in our earlier in vitro studies. CONCLUSION: This is the first study showing that molecular level changes might take place in human volunteers in response to exposure to RF-EMF. Our study confirms that proteomics screening approach can identify protein targets of RF-EMF in human volunteers.

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 typeother

Effect directionmixed

Population10 female human volunteers

Sample size10

ExposureRF · 1.3 W/kg

Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Protein expression changes in human skin (proteomics; 2-DE/PDQuest)

Limitations

Pilot study
Small sample size (10 volunteers)
Exposure duration not reported in abstract
Frequency not reported in abstract
Local forearm skin exposure only; generalizability to other tissues/whole-body exposure unclear

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "other",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": 1.3,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "10 female human volunteers",
  "sample_size": 10,
  "outcomes": [
    "Protein expression changes in human skin (proteomics; 2-DE/PDQuest)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In a pilot study, a small area of forearm skin in 10 female volunteers was locally exposed to RF-EMF (SAR 1.3 W/kg) and compared with non-exposed skin from the same individuals. Proteomics analysis identified 8 proteins with statistically significant expression changes; two of these proteins were present in all 10 volunteers.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Pilot study",
    "Small sample size (10 volunteers)",
    "Exposure duration not reported in abstract",
    "Frequency not reported in abstract",
    "Local forearm skin exposure only; generalizability to other tissues/whole-body exposure unclear"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "RF-EMF",
    "mobile phone radiation",
    "specific absorption rate",
    "SAR 1.3 W/kg",
    "human volunteers",
    "skin",
    "forearm",
    "punch biopsy",
    "proteomics",
    "2-DE",
    "protein expression"
  ],
  "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: 10.1186/1471-2164-9-77
PubMed: 18267023

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