RF Safe

Influence of high-frequency electromagnetic fields on different modes of cell death and gene expression.

International journal of radiation biology · 2003 · No effect · Low evidence

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No effectLow evidencePaper 5243

In HL-60 cells exposed to EMF with field strength about 25 times higher than ICNIRP occupational reference levels (non-thermal conditions), no significant changes were observed in apoptosis, micronucleation, abnormal cells, or differential gene expression at …

Study snapshot

PublicationInternational journal of radiation biology · 2003
Study typein_vitro
Reported directionNo effect
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

PURPOSE: International thresholds for exposure to non-ionizing radiation leading to non-thermal effects were conservatively set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). The aim of this study was to examine whether biological effects such as different modes of cell death and gene expression modifications related to tumorgenesis are detectable above the threshold defined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human leukaemia cells (HL-60) grown in vitro were exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMF; t 1/2(r) about 1 ns; field strength about 25 times higher than the ICNIRP reference levels for occupational exposure) leading to non-thermal effects using a high-voltage-improved GTEM cell 5302 (EMCO) connected to a pulse generator NP20 (C = 1 nF, U(Load) = 20kV). HL-60 cells were harvested at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h after radiation exposure. Micronuclei, apoptosis and abnormal cells (e.g. necrosis) were determined using morphological criteria. In parallel, the expression of 1176 genes was measured using Atlas Human 1.2. Array. Based on high data reproducibility calculated from two independent experiments (> 99%), array analysis was performed. RESULTS: No significant change in apoptosis, micronucleation, abnormal cells and differential gene expression was found. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure of HL-60 cells to EMFs 25 times higher than the ICNIRP reference levels for occupational exposure failed to induce any changes in apoptosis, micronucleation, abnormal morphologies and gene expression. Further experiments using EMFs above the conservatively defined reference level set by the ICNIRP may be desirable.

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
PopulationHuman leukaemia cells (HL-60) grown in vitro
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In HL-60 cells exposed to EMF with field strength about 25 times higher than ICNIRP occupational reference levels (non-thermal conditions), no significant changes were observed in apoptosis, micronucleation, abnormal cells, or differential gene expression at 0, 24, 48, or 72 hours after exposure.

Outcomes measured

  • Apoptosis
  • Micronuclei/micronucleation
  • Abnormal cells/abnormal morphologies (e.g., necrosis)
  • Gene expression (1176 genes; Atlas Human 1.2 Array)

Limitations

  • Frequency and SAR not reported in abstract
  • Exposure duration not reported in abstract
  • Sample size not reported in abstract
  • Gene expression findings described generally; specific genes/pathways not detailed in abstract
  • Only one in vitro cell line studied
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Human leukaemia cells (HL-60) grown in vitro",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Apoptosis",
    "Micronuclei/micronucleation",
    "Abnormal cells/abnormal morphologies (e.g., necrosis)",
    "Gene expression (1176 genes; Atlas Human 1.2 Array)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In HL-60 cells exposed to EMF with field strength about 25 times higher than ICNIRP occupational reference levels (non-thermal conditions), no significant changes were observed in apoptosis, micronucleation, abnormal cells, or differential gene expression at 0, 24, 48, or 72 hours after exposure.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "Frequency and SAR not reported in abstract",
    "Exposure duration not reported in abstract",
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Gene expression findings described generally; specific genes/pathways not detailed in abstract",
    "Only one in vitro cell line studied"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "HL-60",
    "in vitro",
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "non-thermal effects",
    "ICNIRP",
    "occupational exposure reference levels",
    "apoptosis",
    "micronuclei",
    "necrosis",
    "gene expression",
    "GTEM cell",
    "pulse generator"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.6,
      "reason": "Exposure level is described relative to ICNIRP occupational reference levels."
    },
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.7,
      "reason": "Study explicitly discusses ICNIRP reference levels and tests effects above those thresholds."
    }
  ]
}
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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: 10.1080/09553000310001606803
PubMed: 14703943

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