Erythrocyte hemolysis by radiofrequency fields.

Bioelectromagnetics · 1985 · Harm · Low evidence

← Research stream

HarmLow evidencePaper 6181

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 1985

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

A field-strength-dependent hemolytic effect of continuous-wave radiofrequency (RF) exposure in vitro has been demonstrated. Erythrocytes in whole heparinized rabbit blood were hemolyzed by a 2-h exposure to 50- or 100-MHz RF fields at field strengths of greater than 4 V/cm. An effect of comparable magnitude resulted from exposure to 10-MHz RF at a field strength of 9 V/cm. Sample temperatures were maintained at 22.5 degrees +/- 0.2 degrees C. There was no apparent involvement of heating or temperature gradients, nor were there any RF exposure effects on cellular K+ or Na+ concentration, nor on pH. The mechanism of the hemolytic effect is not known. Since the percentage of lysed erythrocytes was less than 1% and there was an absence of effects on cellular cation concentrations, RF radiation may have irreversibly altered the plasma membrane permeability of a sensitive subpopulation of red cells (possibly aged cells) leading to osmotic lysis. RF radiation at these frequencies appears to affect red cells in a manner that is qualitatively and quantitatively different from microwave radiation.

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 directionharm

PopulationErythrocytes in whole heparinized rabbit blood (in vitro)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 2 h continuous-wave exposure

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In vitro, erythrocytes in whole heparinized rabbit blood showed a field-strength-dependent hemolytic effect after 2 h continuous-wave RF exposure. Hemolysis occurred at 50 or 100 MHz at field strengths >4 V/cm, and at 10 MHz at 9 V/cm, with sample temperature maintained at 22.5 ± 0.2 °C and no apparent involvement of heating; no RF effects were observed on cellular K+ or Na+ concentrations or on pH.

Outcomes measured

Erythrocyte hemolysis (percent lysed cells)
Cellular K+ concentration
Cellular Na+ concentration
pH
Sample temperature/heating involvement

Limitations

In vitro study in rabbit blood; generalizability to in vivo or humans not established in abstract
Sample size not reported in abstract
Hemolysis magnitude was <1% of erythrocytes
Mechanism not known

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "2 h continuous-wave exposure"
  },
  "population": "Erythrocytes in whole heparinized rabbit blood (in vitro)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Erythrocyte hemolysis (percent lysed cells)",
    "Cellular K+ concentration",
    "Cellular Na+ concentration",
    "pH",
    "Sample temperature/heating involvement"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In vitro, erythrocytes in whole heparinized rabbit blood showed a field-strength-dependent hemolytic effect after 2 h continuous-wave RF exposure. Hemolysis occurred at 50 or 100 MHz at field strengths >4 V/cm, and at 10 MHz at 9 V/cm, with sample temperature maintained at 22.5 ± 0.2 °C and no apparent involvement of heating; no RF effects were observed on cellular K+ or Na+ concentrations or on pH.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro study in rabbit blood; generalizability to in vivo or humans not established in abstract",
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Hemolysis magnitude was <1% of erythrocytes",
    "Mechanism not known"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency",
    "RF",
    "continuous-wave",
    "in vitro",
    "rabbit blood",
    "erythrocytes",
    "hemolysis",
    "field strength",
    "10 MHz",
    "50 MHz",
    "100 MHz",
    "membrane permeability",
    "non-thermal"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

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.2250060311
PubMed: 3836674

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library