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No apoptosis is induced in rat cortical neurons exposed to GSM phone fields.

Bioelectromagnetics · 2007 · No effect · Low evidence

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No effectLow evidencePaper 5085

Primary cultured rat cortical neurons exposed to a 900 MHz GSM RF field for 24 h at an average SAR of 0.25 W/kg showed no statistically significant differences in apoptosis versus controls when assessed immediately or 24 h after exposure. DAPI staining, TUNEL…

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 2007
Study typein_vitro
Reported directionNo effect
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) effects on neuronal apoptosis in vitro. Primary cultured neurons from cortices of embryonic Wistar rats were exposed to a 900-MHz global system for mobile communication (GSM) RF field for 24 h in a wire-patch cell. The average-specific absorption rate (SAR) used was 0.25 W/kg. Apoptosis rate was assessed immediately or 24 h after exposure using three methods: (i) DAPI staining; (ii) flow cytometry using double staining with TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and propidium iodide (PI); and (iii) measurement of caspase-3 activity by fluorimetry. No statistically significant difference in the apoptosis rate was observed between controls and 24 h GSM-exposed neurons, either 0 h or 24 h post-exposure. All three methods used to assess apoptosis were concordant. These results showed that, under the conditions of experiment used, GSM-exposure does not significantly increase the apoptosis rate in rat primary neuronal cultures. This work is in accordance with other studies performed on cell lines and, to our knowledge, is the first one performed on cultured cortical neurons.

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 typein_vitro
Effect directionno_effect
PopulationPrimary cultured cortical neurons from embryonic Wistar rats
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF · 900 MHz · 0.25 W/kg · 24 h
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 86% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Primary cultured rat cortical neurons exposed to a 900 MHz GSM RF field for 24 h at an average SAR of 0.25 W/kg showed no statistically significant differences in apoptosis versus controls when assessed immediately or 24 h after exposure. DAPI staining, TUNEL/PI flow cytometry, and caspase-3 activity measurements were concordant.

Outcomes measured

  • Neuronal apoptosis rate (DAPI staining)
  • Apoptosis (TUNEL/PI flow cytometry)
  • Caspase-3 activity

Limitations

  • In vitro study using primary neuronal cultures
  • Sample size not reported in the abstract
  • Only one exposure condition reported (900 MHz GSM, 24 h, SAR 0.25 W/kg)
  • Outcomes limited to apoptosis measures and assessed up to 24 h post-exposure
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": 0.25,
    "duration": "24 h"
  },
  "population": "Primary cultured cortical neurons from embryonic Wistar rats",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Neuronal apoptosis rate (DAPI staining)",
    "Apoptosis (TUNEL/PI flow cytometry)",
    "Caspase-3 activity"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Primary cultured rat cortical neurons exposed to a 900 MHz GSM RF field for 24 h at an average SAR of 0.25 W/kg showed no statistically significant differences in apoptosis versus controls when assessed immediately or 24 h after exposure. DAPI staining, TUNEL/PI flow cytometry, and caspase-3 activity measurements were concordant.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro study using primary neuronal cultures",
    "Sample size not reported in the abstract",
    "Only one exposure condition reported (900 MHz GSM, 24 h, SAR 0.25 W/kg)",
    "Outcomes limited to apoptosis measures and assessed up to 24 h post-exposure"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.86,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency",
    "RF EMF",
    "GSM",
    "900 MHz",
    "specific absorption rate",
    "SAR",
    "apoptosis",
    "cortical neurons",
    "primary culture",
    "Wistar rat",
    "TUNEL",
    "caspase-3",
    "DAPI",
    "flow cytometry"
  ],
  "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: 10.1002/bem.20274
PubMed: 17004238

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