Investigation of the effects of 2.1 GHz microwave radiation on mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), apoptotic activity and cell viability in human breast fibroblast cells.

Cell biochemistry and biophysics · 2013 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 6544

Exposure to 2.1 GHz W-CDMA modulated microwave radiation at SAR 0.607 W/kg for 4 and 24 h was associated with significantly decreased cell viability, increased Annexin V-FITC positive cells, and significantly decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) i…

Study snapshot

PublicationCell biochemistry and biophysics · 2013

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

In the present study we aimed to investigate the effects of 2.1 GHz Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) modulated Microwave (MW) Radiation on cell survival and apoptotic activity of human breast fibroblast cells. The cell cultures were exposed to W-CDMA modulated MW at 2.1 GHz at a SAR level of 0.607 W/kg for 4 and 24 h. The cell viability was assessed by MTT [3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] method. The percentage of apoptotic cells was analyzed by Annexin V-FITC and PI staining. 5,5',6,6'-Tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'- tetraethylbenzimidazolcarbocyanine iodide (JC-1) was used to measure Mitochondrial Membrane Potential (ΔΨm). sFasL and Fas/APO-1 protein levels were determined by ELISA method. 2.1 GHz MW radiation was shown to be able to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in human breast fibroblast cells. The cell viability of MW-exposed cells was decreased significantly. The percentages of Annexin V-FITC positive cells were higher in MW groups. ΔΨm was decreased significantly due to MW radiation exposure. However, neither sFas nor FasL level was significantly changed in MW-exposed fibroblast cells. The results of this study showed that 2.1 GHz W-CDMA modulated MW radiation-induced apoptotic cell death via the mitochondrial pathway.

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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 directionharm

PopulationHuman breast fibroblast cells (cell culture)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 2100 MHz · 0.607 W/kg · 4 and 24 h

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

cell viability (MTT)
apoptosis (Annexin V-FITC/PI)
mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm; JC-1)
sFasL level (ELISA)
Fas/APO-1 level (ELISA)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
In vitro cell culture study; generalizability to humans not addressed in abstract
Only one SAR level reported in abstract
Limited exposure durations (4 and 24 h)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 2100,
    "sar_wkg": 0.607,
    "duration": "4 and 24 h"
  },
  "population": "Human breast fibroblast cells (cell culture)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "cell viability (MTT)",
    "apoptosis (Annexin V-FITC/PI)",
    "mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm; JC-1)",
    "sFasL level (ELISA)",
    "Fas/APO-1 level (ELISA)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Exposure to 2.1 GHz W-CDMA modulated microwave radiation at SAR 0.607 W/kg for 4 and 24 h was associated with significantly decreased cell viability, increased Annexin V-FITC positive cells, and significantly decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) in human breast fibroblast cells. sFas and FasL levels were not significantly changed.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "In vitro cell culture study; generalizability to humans not addressed in abstract",
    "Only one SAR level reported in abstract",
    "Limited exposure durations (4 and 24 h)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "2.1 GHz",
    "W-CDMA",
    "microwave radiation",
    "RF",
    "SAR",
    "human breast fibroblast cells",
    "cell viability",
    "apoptosis",
    "Annexin V",
    "mitochondrial membrane potential",
    "JC-1",
    "sFasL",
    "Fas/APO-1"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "mobile-phones",
      "weight": 0.6,
      "reason": "Exposure described as 2.1 GHz W-CDMA modulated microwave radiation, consistent with cellular communication signals."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1007/s12013-013-9669-6
PubMed: 23723005

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