Studying gene expression profile of rat neuron exposed to 1800MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields with cDNA microassay.

Toxicology · 2007 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 5070

After 24-h intermittent exposure to pulsed 1800 MHz RF EMF (217 Hz modulation) at average SAR 2 W/kg, 24 genes were up-regulated and 10 genes were down-regulated among 1200 candidate genes in rat neuron; results were further confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR.

Study snapshot

PublicationToxicology · 2007

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

A widespread use of mobile phone (MP) evokes a growing concern for their possible adverse effects on human, especially the brain. Gene expression is a unique way of characterizing how cells and organism adapt to changes in the external environment, so the aim of this investigation was to determine whether 1800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) can influence the gene expression of neuron. Affymetrix Rat Neurobiology U34 array was applied to investigate the changes of gene expression in rat neuron after exposed to the pulsed RF EMF at a frequency of 1800 MHz modulated by 217 Hz which is commonly used in MP. Among 1200 candidate genes, 24 up-regulated genes and 10 down-regulated genes were identified after 24-h intermittent exposure at an average special absorption rate (SAR) of 2 W/kg, which are associated with multiple cellular functions (cytoskeleton, signal transduction pathway, metabolism, etc.) after functional classification. The results were further confirmed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR). The present results indicated that the gene expression of rat neuron could be altered by exposure to RF EMF under our experimental conditions.

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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

Populationrat neuron

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 1800 MHz · 2 W/kg · 24-h intermittent exposure

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Gene expression changes (cDNA microarray; Affymetrix Rat Neurobiology U34 array)
qRT-PCR confirmation of gene expression changes

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Exposure conditions are specific (pulsed 1800 MHz, 217 Hz modulation; SAR 2 W/kg; 24-h intermittent), limiting generalizability
Outcome limited to gene expression changes; no functional/health endpoints reported in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 1800,
    "sar_wkg": 2,
    "duration": "24-h intermittent exposure"
  },
  "population": "rat neuron",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Gene expression changes (cDNA microarray; Affymetrix Rat Neurobiology U34 array)",
    "qRT-PCR confirmation of gene expression changes"
  ],
  "main_findings": "After 24-h intermittent exposure to pulsed 1800 MHz RF EMF (217 Hz modulation) at average SAR 2 W/kg, 24 genes were up-regulated and 10 genes were down-regulated among 1200 candidate genes in rat neuron; results were further confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Exposure conditions are specific (pulsed 1800 MHz, 217 Hz modulation; SAR 2 W/kg; 24-h intermittent), limiting generalizability",
    "Outcome limited to gene expression changes; no functional/health endpoints reported in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "1800 MHz",
    "radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
    "RF EMF",
    "mobile phone",
    "rat neuron",
    "gene expression",
    "microarray",
    "Affymetrix Rat Neurobiology U34",
    "217 Hz modulation",
    "SAR 2 W/kg",
    "qRT-PCR"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones-rf",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study uses 1800 MHz RF exposure modulated at 217 Hz described as commonly used in mobile phones."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1016/j.tox.2007.03.015
PubMed: 17449163

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