Effects of 2.45-GHz electromagnetic fields with a wide range of SARs on micronucleus formation in CHO-K1 cells.

TheScientificWorldJournal · 2004 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5213

Study snapshot

PublicationTheScientificWorldJournal · 2004

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

There has been considerable discussion about the influence of high-frequency electromagnetic fields (HFEMF) on the human body. In particular, HFEMF used for mobile phones may be of great concern for human health. In order to investigate the properties of HFEMF, we have examined the effects of 2.45-GHz EMF on micronucleus (MN) formation in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells. MN formation is induced by chromosomal breakage or inhibition of spindles during cell division and leads to cell damage. We also examined the influence of heat on MN formation, since HFEMF exposure causes a rise in temperature. CHO-K1 cells were exposed to HFEMF for 2 h at average specific absorption rates (SARs) of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 W/kg, and the effects on these cells were compared with those in sham-exposed control cells. The cells were also treated with bleomycin alone as a positive control or with combined treatment of HFEMF exposure and bleomycin. Heat treatment was performed at temperatures of 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, and 42 degrees C. The MN frequency in cells exposed to HFEMF at a SAR of lower than 50 W/kg did not differ from the sham-exposed controls, while those at SARs of 100 and 200 W/kg were significantly higher when compared with the sham-exposed controls. There was no apparent combined effect of HFEMF exposure and bleomycin treatment. On heat treatment at temperatures from 38-42 degrees C, the MN frequency increased in a temperature-dependent manner. We also showed that an increase in SAR causes a rise in temperature and this may be connected to the increase in MN formation generated by exposure to HFEMF.

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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

PopulationChinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 2450 MHz · 2 h

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

CHO-K1 cells exposed for 2 h to 2.45-GHz EMF showed no difference in micronucleus frequency versus sham at SARs <50 W/kg, while MN frequency was significantly higher at SARs of 100 and 200 W/kg. Heat treatment (38–42°C) increased MN frequency in a temperature-dependent manner, and the authors report that higher SAR increased temperature, which may be connected to increased MN formation; no apparent combined effect was observed for EMF exposure plus bleomycin compared with bleomycin alone.

Outcomes measured

Micronucleus (MN) formation / MN frequency
Temperature rise (heating)

Limitations

In vitro cell model (CHO-K1), not a human/animal study
Sample size not reported in abstract
Thermal effects appear relevant; separating non-thermal from thermal effects may be limited based on abstract information

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 2450,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "2 h"
  },
  "population": "Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Micronucleus (MN) formation / MN frequency",
    "Temperature rise (heating)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "CHO-K1 cells exposed for 2 h to 2.45-GHz EMF showed no difference in micronucleus frequency versus sham at SARs <50 W/kg, while MN frequency was significantly higher at SARs of 100 and 200 W/kg. Heat treatment (38–42°C) increased MN frequency in a temperature-dependent manner, and the authors report that higher SAR increased temperature, which may be connected to increased MN formation; no apparent combined effect was observed for EMF exposure plus bleomycin compared with bleomycin alone.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro cell model (CHO-K1), not a human/animal study",
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Thermal effects appear relevant; separating non-thermal from thermal effects may be limited based on abstract information"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "2.45 GHz",
    "RF EMF",
    "HFEMF",
    "specific absorption rate",
    "SAR",
    "micronucleus",
    "genotoxicity",
    "CHO-K1",
    "bleomycin",
    "heat",
    "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: 10.1100/tsw.2004.176
PubMed: 15517100

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