Proflavin and microwave radiation: absence of a mutagenic interaction.

Bioelectromagnetics · 1990 · No effect · Low evidence

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No effectLow evidencePaper 6262

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 1990

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionNo effect

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The potential ability of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RFR) in the microwave range to induce mutagenesis, chromosomal aberrations, and sister chromatid exchanges in mammalian cells is being explored in our laboratories. In addition, we have also been examining the ability of simultaneous exposure to RFR and chemical mutagens to alter the genotoxic damage induced by chemical mutagens acting alone. We have performed experiments to determine whether there is an interaction between 2.45-GHz, pulsed-wave, RFR and proflavin, a DNA-intercalating drug. The endpoint studied was forward mutation at the thymidine kinase locus in L5178Y mouse leukemic cells. Any effect on the size distribution of the resulting colonies of mutated cells was also examined. The exposures were performed at net forward powers of 500 or 600 W, resulting in a specific absorption rate (SAR) of approximately 40 W/kg. The culture-medium temperature reached a 3 degrees C maximal increase during the 4-h exposure; appropriate 37 degrees C and convection-heating temperature controls (TC) were performed. In no case was there any indication of a statistically significant increase in the induced mutant frequency due to the simultaneous exposure to RFR and proflavin, as compared with the proflavin exposures alone. There was also no indication of any change in the colony-size distribution of the resulting mutant colonies, neither, and there was no evidence in these experiments of any mutagenic action by the RFR exposure alone.

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

PopulationL5178Y mouse leukemic cells (mammalian cell line)

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposuremicrowave · 2450 MHz · 40 W/kg · 4 h

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 86% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In L5178Y mouse leukemic cells, simultaneous exposure to 2.45-GHz pulsed-wave radiofrequency radiation (SAR ~40 W/kg for 4 h) and proflavin did not produce a statistically significant increase in induced mutant frequency compared with proflavin alone. No change in mutant colony-size distribution was observed, and no mutagenic action of the RFR exposure alone was detected under these conditions.

Outcomes measured

Forward mutation at the thymidine kinase locus
Mutant colony-size distribution

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Only one cell line and one genetic endpoint (TK forward mutation) assessed
Exposure conditions included a reported culture-medium temperature increase (max 3°C) despite use of temperature controls
Only one frequency (2.45 GHz) and high SAR (~40 W/kg) tested

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 2450,
    "sar_wkg": 40,
    "duration": "4 h"
  },
  "population": "L5178Y mouse leukemic cells (mammalian cell line)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Forward mutation at the thymidine kinase locus",
    "Mutant colony-size distribution"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In L5178Y mouse leukemic cells, simultaneous exposure to 2.45-GHz pulsed-wave radiofrequency radiation (SAR ~40 W/kg for 4 h) and proflavin did not produce a statistically significant increase in induced mutant frequency compared with proflavin alone. No change in mutant colony-size distribution was observed, and no mutagenic action of the RFR exposure alone was detected under these conditions.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Only one cell line and one genetic endpoint (TK forward mutation) assessed",
    "Exposure conditions included a reported culture-medium temperature increase (max 3°C) despite use of temperature controls",
    "Only one frequency (2.45 GHz) and high SAR (~40 W/kg) tested"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.86,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency radiation",
    "microwave",
    "2.45 GHz",
    "pulsed-wave",
    "specific absorption rate",
    "SAR",
    "proflavin",
    "DNA intercalating drug",
    "mutagenesis",
    "thymidine kinase locus",
    "L5178Y",
    "mouse leukemic cells",
    "colony size distribution",
    "genotoxicity"
  ],
  "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.2250110206
PubMed: 2242050

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