Oxidative and mutagenic effects of low intensity GSM 1800 MHz microwave radiation

Exp Oncol · 2018 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 6725

Study snapshot

PublicationExp Oncol · 2018

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Aim: Despite a significant number of epidemiological studies on potential carcinogenicity of microwave radiation (MWR) from wireless devices and a bulk of experimental studies on oxidative and mutagenic effects of low intensity MWR, the discussion on potential carcinogenicity of low intensity MWR is going on. This study aims to assess oxidative and mutagenic effects of low intensity MWR from a typical commercial model of a modern smartphone. Materials and methods: The model of developing quail embryos has been used for the assessment of oxidative and mutagenic effects of Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) 1800 MHz MWR from a commercial model of smartphone. The embryos were exposed in ovo to 0.32 µW/cm2, discontinuously - 48 s - On, 12 s - Off, during 5 days before and 14 days through the incubation period. Results: The exposure of quail embryos before and during the incubation period to low intensity GSM 1800 MHz has resulted in expressive statistically significant oxidative effects in embryonic cells, including a 2-fold increase in superoxide generation rate and 85% increase in nitrogen oxide generation rate, damages of DNA integrity and oxidative damages of DNA (up to twice increased levels of 8-oxo-dG in cells of 1-day old chicks from the exposed embryos). Finally, the exposure resulted in a significant, almost twice, increase of embryo mortality. Conclusion: The exposure of model biological system to low intensity GSM 1800 MHz MWR resulted in significant oxidative and mutagenic effects in exposed cells, and thus should be recognized as a significant risk factor for living cells.

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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 typeanimal

Effect directionharm

PopulationQuail embryos (in ovo)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 1800 MHz · Discontinuous exposure (48 s on/12 s off) for 5 days before incubation and 14 days during incubation (in ovo)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Quail embryos exposed in ovo to low-intensity GSM 1800 MHz radiation (0.32 µW/cm2; 48 s on/12 s off) showed statistically significant increases in oxidative markers (2-fold higher superoxide generation; 85% higher nitrogen oxide generation), DNA integrity damage, and increased oxidative DNA damage (up to ~2x higher 8-oxo-dG in cells of 1-day-old chicks). Exposure was also associated with an almost twofold increase in embryo mortality.

Outcomes measured

Oxidative effects in embryonic cells (superoxide generation rate, nitrogen oxide generation rate)
DNA integrity damage
Oxidative DNA damage (8-oxo-dG levels)
Embryo mortality

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Animal/embryo model; generalizability to humans not established in abstract
SAR not reported; exposure characterized as power density (µW/cm2)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": 1800,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Discontinuous exposure (48 s on/12 s off) for 5 days before incubation and 14 days during incubation (in ovo)"
  },
  "population": "Quail embryos (in ovo)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Oxidative effects in embryonic cells (superoxide generation rate, nitrogen oxide generation rate)",
    "DNA integrity damage",
    "Oxidative DNA damage (8-oxo-dG levels)",
    "Embryo mortality"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Quail embryos exposed in ovo to low-intensity GSM 1800 MHz radiation (0.32 µW/cm2; 48 s on/12 s off) showed statistically significant increases in oxidative markers (2-fold higher superoxide generation; 85% higher nitrogen oxide generation), DNA integrity damage, and increased oxidative DNA damage (up to ~2x higher 8-oxo-dG in cells of 1-day-old chicks). Exposure was also associated with an almost twofold increase in embryo mortality.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Animal/embryo model; generalizability to humans not established in abstract",
    "SAR not reported; exposure characterized as power density (µW/cm2)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "GSM",
    "1800 MHz",
    "microwave radiation",
    "RF",
    "smartphone",
    "quail embryos",
    "in ovo",
    "oxidative stress",
    "DNA damage",
    "8-oxo-dG",
    "mutagenic effects",
    "embryo mortality"
  ],
  "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: Not supplied
PubMed: 30593748

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