Microwave irradiation induces neurite outgrowth in PC12m3 cells via the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

Neuroscience letters · 2008 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 6449

Study snapshot

PublicationNeuroscience letters · 2008

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The increasing use of mobile phone communication has raised concerns about possible health hazard effects of microwave irradiation. We investigated damage and differentiation caused by microwave irradiation on drug-hypersensitive PC12 cell line (PC12m3). These cells showed enhancement of neurite outgrowth to various stimulants. The frequency of neurite outgrowth induced by 2.45 GHz (200 W) of microwave irradiation was approximately 10-fold greater than that of non-irradiated control cells. Incubation of PC12m3 cells with SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK, resulted in marked inhibition of the microwave radiation-induced neurite outgrowth. Also, activation of the transcription factor CREB induced by microwave irradiation was inhibited by SB203580. Heat shock treatment at 45 degrees C had a strong toxic effect on PC12m3 cells, whereas microwave treatment had no toxic effect on PC12m3 cells. These findings indicate that p38 MAPK is responsible for the survival of PC12m3 cells and might induce neurite outgrowth via a CREB signaling pathway when subjected to microwave irradiation.

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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 directionbenefit

PopulationPC12m3 (drug-hypersensitive PC12) cell line

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposuremicrowave · 2450 MHz

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Microwave irradiation at 2.45 GHz (200 W) increased the frequency of neurite outgrowth in PC12m3 cells by approximately 10-fold versus non-irradiated controls. The p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 markedly inhibited microwave-induced neurite outgrowth and CREB activation, and microwave treatment was reported to have no toxic effect compared with toxic effects from 45°C heat shock.

Outcomes measured

Neurite outgrowth
p38 MAPK pathway involvement (inhibition by SB203580)
CREB activation
Cell toxicity/survival (microwave vs heat shock)

Limitations

In vitro cell-line study; findings may not generalize to organisms or humans
Exposure metric reported as power (200 W) without SAR or dosimetry details
Exposure duration not stated in the abstract
Sample size and replication not reported in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": "mobile phone communication",
    "frequency_mhz": 2450,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "PC12m3 (drug-hypersensitive PC12) cell line",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Neurite outgrowth",
    "p38 MAPK pathway involvement (inhibition by SB203580)",
    "CREB activation",
    "Cell toxicity/survival (microwave vs heat shock)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Microwave irradiation at 2.45 GHz (200 W) increased the frequency of neurite outgrowth in PC12m3 cells by approximately 10-fold versus non-irradiated controls. The p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 markedly inhibited microwave-induced neurite outgrowth and CREB activation, and microwave treatment was reported to have no toxic effect compared with toxic effects from 45°C heat shock.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro cell-line study; findings may not generalize to organisms or humans",
    "Exposure metric reported as power (200 W) without SAR or dosimetry details",
    "Exposure duration not stated in the abstract",
    "Sample size and replication not reported in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "microwave irradiation",
    "2.45 GHz",
    "PC12m3",
    "PC12 cells",
    "neurite outgrowth",
    "p38 MAPK",
    "SB203580",
    "CREB",
    "heat shock",
    "toxicity"
  ],
  "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: 10.1016/j.neulet.2007.12.002
PubMed: 18166272

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