RF Safe

Effect of superposed electromagnetic noise on DNA damage of lens epithelial cells induced by microwave radiation

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci · 2008 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 6477

In human lens epithelial cells, 24-hour intermittent 1.8-GHz RF exposure increased DNA damage at 3 and 4 W/kg, increased gammaH2AX foci only at 4 W/kg, elevated ROS at 3 and 4 W/kg, and caused G0/G1 arrest at 4 W/kg. No detectable difference in apoptosis was …

Study snapshot

PublicationInvest Ophthalmol Vis Sci · 2008
Study typein_vitro
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of the 1.8-GHz radiofrequency fields (RFs) of the Global System for Mobile Communications on DNA damage, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, cell cycle, and apoptosis in human lens epithelial cells (hLECs) and whether the effects induced by RF could be blocked by superposing of electromagnetic noise. METHODS: After 24-hour intermittent exposure at the specific absorption rate of 1 W/kg, 2 W/kg, 3 W/kg, and 4 W/kg, the DNA damage of hLECs was examined by alkaline comet assay and immunofluorescence microscope detection of the phosphorylated form of histone variant H2AX (gammaH2AX) foci, respectively. ROS production was quantified by the fluorescent probe 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA). Cell cycle and cell apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry. RESULTS: DNA damage examined by alkaline comet assay was significantly increased after 3 W/kg and 4 W/kg radiation (P < 0.05), whereas the double-strand breaks (DSBs) evaluated by gammaH2AX foci were significantly increased only after 4 W/kg radiation (P < 0.05). Significantly elevated intracellular ROS levels were also detected in the 3-W/kg and 4-W/kg groups (P < 0.05). After exposure to 4 W/kg for 24 hours, hLECs exhibited significant G(0)/G(1) arrest (P < 0.05). There was no detectable difference in cell apoptosis between the microwave radiation and sham exposure groups (P > 0.05). All the effects mentioned were blocked when the RF was superposed with 2 muT electromagnetic noise. CONCLUSIONS: Microwave radiation induced hLEC DNA damage after G(0)/G(1) arrest does not lead to cell apoptosis. The increased ROS observed may be associated with DNA damage. Superposed electromagnetic noise blocks microwave radiation-induced DNA damage, ROS formation, and cell cycle arrest.

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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
Populationhuman lens epithelial cells (hLECs)
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureRF · 1800 MHz · 24-hour intermittent exposure; SAR groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 W/kg; superposed 2 muT electromagnetic noise
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 96% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In human lens epithelial cells, 24-hour intermittent 1.8-GHz RF exposure increased DNA damage at 3 and 4 W/kg, increased gammaH2AX foci only at 4 W/kg, elevated ROS at 3 and 4 W/kg, and caused G0/G1 arrest at 4 W/kg. No detectable difference in apoptosis was found versus sham. These reported effects were blocked when the RF exposure was superposed with 2 muT electromagnetic noise.

Outcomes measured

  • DNA damage (alkaline comet assay)
  • double-strand breaks/gammaH2AX foci
  • intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS)
  • cell cycle arrest
  • apoptosis

Limitations

  • In vitro cell study
  • Sample size not stated in the abstract
  • Effects were observed mainly at higher SAR levels (3-4 W/kg for several endpoints; 4 W/kg for gammaH2AX and cell-cycle arrest)
  • No apoptosis difference detected despite other cellular changes
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 1800,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "24-hour intermittent exposure; SAR groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 W/kg; superposed 2 muT electromagnetic noise"
  },
  "population": "human lens epithelial cells (hLECs)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "DNA damage (alkaline comet assay)",
    "double-strand breaks/gammaH2AX foci",
    "intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS)",
    "cell cycle arrest",
    "apoptosis"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In human lens epithelial cells, 24-hour intermittent 1.8-GHz RF exposure increased DNA damage at 3 and 4 W/kg, increased gammaH2AX foci only at 4 W/kg, elevated ROS at 3 and 4 W/kg, and caused G0/G1 arrest at 4 W/kg. No detectable difference in apoptosis was found versus sham. These reported effects were blocked when the RF exposure was superposed with 2 muT electromagnetic noise.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro cell study",
    "Sample size not stated in the abstract",
    "Effects were observed mainly at higher SAR levels (3-4 W/kg for several endpoints; 4 W/kg for gammaH2AX and cell-cycle arrest)",
    "No apoptosis difference detected despite other cellular changes"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.96,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "RF",
    "1.8 GHz",
    "GSM",
    "mobile phone",
    "human lens epithelial cells",
    "DNA damage",
    "gammaH2AX",
    "ROS",
    "cell cycle",
    "apoptosis",
    "electromagnetic noise",
    "SAR"
  ],
  "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: 10.1167/iovs.07-1333
PubMed: 18436834

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