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Exposure to 2.45 GHz Radiation Triggers Changes in HSP-70, Glucocorticoid Receptors and GFAP Biomarkers in Rat Brain. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22105103. [PMID: 34065959 PMCID: PMC8151023 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain tissue may be especially sensitive to electromagnetic phenomena provoking signs of neural stress in cerebral activity. Fifty-four adult female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent ELISA and immunohistochemistry testing of four relevant anatomical areas of the cerebrum to measure biomarkers indicating induction of heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70), glucocorticoid receptors (GCR) or glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) after single or repeated exposure to 2.45 GHz radiation in the experimental set-up. Neither radiation regime caused tissue heating, so thermal effects can be ruled out. A progressive decrease in GCR and HSP-70 was observed after acute or repeated irradiation in the somatosensory cortex, hypothalamus and hippocampus. In the limbic cortex; however, values for both biomarkers were significantly higher after repeated exposure to irradiation when compared to control animals. GFAP values in brain tissue after irradiation were not significantly different or were even lower than those of nonirradiated animals in all brain regions studied. Our results suggest that repeated exposure to 2.45 GHz elicited GCR/HSP-70 dysregulation in the brain, triggering a state of stress that could decrease tissue anti-inflammatory action without favoring glial proliferation and make the nervous system more vulnerable.
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2
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Halgamuge MN. Supervised Machine Learning Algorithms for Bioelectromagnetics: Prediction Models and Feature Selection Techniques Using Data from Weak Radiofrequency Radiation Effect on Human and Animals Cells. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E4595. [PMID: 32604814 PMCID: PMC7345599 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17124595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of new technologies to incorporate and analyze data with high-performance computing has expanded our capability to accurately predict any incident. Supervised Machine learning (ML) can be utilized for a fast and consistent prediction, and to obtain the underlying pattern of the data better. We develop a prediction strategy, for the first time, using supervised ML to observe the possible impact of weak radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) on human and animal cells without performing in-vitro laboratory experiments. We extracted laboratory experimental data from 300 peer-reviewed scientific publications (1990-2015) describing 1127 experimental case studies of human and animal cells response to RF-EMF. We used domain knowledge, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and the Chi-squared feature selection techniques to select six optimal features for computation and cost-efficiency. We then develop grouping or clustering strategies to allocate these selected features into five different laboratory experiment scenarios. The dataset has been tested with ten different classifiers, and the outputs are estimated using the k-fold cross-validation method. The assessment of a classifier's prediction performance is critical for assessing its suitability. Hence, a detailed comparison of the percentage of the model accuracy (PCC), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), precision, sensitivity (recall), 1 - specificity, Area under the ROC Curve (AUC), and precision-recall (PRC Area) for each classification method were observed. Our findings suggest that the Random Forest algorithm exceeds in all groups in terms of all performance measures and shows AUC = 0.903 where k-fold = 60. A robust correlation was observed in the specific absorption rate (SAR) with frequency and cumulative effect or exposure time with SAR×time (impact of accumulated SAR within the exposure time) of RF-EMF. In contrast, the relationship between frequency and exposure time was not significant. In future, with more experimental data, the sample size can be increased, leading to more accurate work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malka N Halgamuge
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
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Halgamuge MN, Skafidas E, Davis D. A meta-analysis of in vitro exposures to weak radiofrequency radiation exposure from mobile phones (1990-2015). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 184:109227. [PMID: 32199316 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
To function, mobile phone systems require transmitters that emit and receive radiofrequency signals over an extended geographical area exposing humans in all stages of development ranging from in-utero, early childhood, adolescents and adults. This study evaluates the question of the impact of radiofrequency radiation on living organisms in vitro studies. In this study, we abstract data from 300 peer-reviewed scientific publications (1990-2015) describing 1127 experimental observations in cell-based in vitro models. Our first analysis of these data found that out of 746 human cell experiments, 45.3% indicated cell changes, whereas 54.7% indicated no changes (p = 0.001). Realizing that there are profound distinctions between cell types in terms of age, rate of proliferation and apoptosis, and other characteristics and that RF signals can be characterized in terms of polarity, information content, frequency, Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) and power, we further refined our analysis to determine if there were some distinct properties of negative and positive findings associated with these specific characteristics. We further analyzed the data taking into account the cumulative effect (SAR × exposure time) to acquire the cumulative energy absorption of experiments due to radiofrequency exposure, which we believe, has not been fully considered previously. When the frequency of signals, length and type of exposure, and maturity, rate of growth (doubling time), apoptosis and other properties of individual cell types are considered, our results identify a number of potential non-thermal effects of radiofrequency fields that are restricted to a subset of specific faster-growing less differentiated cell types such as human spermatozoa (based on 19 reported experiments, p-value = 0.002) and human epithelial cells (based on 89 reported experiments, p-value < 0.0001). In contrast, for mature, differentiated adult cells of Glia (p = 0.001) and Glioblastoma (p < 0.0001) and adult human blood lymphocytes (p < 0.0001) there are no statistically significant differences for these more slowly reproducing cell lines. Thus, we show that RF induces significant changes in human cells (45.3%), and in faster-growing rat/mouse cell dataset (47.3%). In parallel with this finding, further analysis of faster-growing cells from other species (chicken, rabbit, pig, frog, snail) indicates that most undergo significant changes (74.4%) when exposed to RF. This study confirms observations from the REFLEX project, Belyaev and others that cellular response varies with signal properties. We concur that differentiation of cell type thus constitutes a critical piece of information and should be useful as a reference for many researchers planning additional studies. Sponsorship bias is also a factor that we did not take into account in this analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malka N Halgamuge
- Department Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
| | - Efstratios Skafidas
- Department Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Devra Davis
- Environmental Health Trust, Teton Village, WY, 83025, USA
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4
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Fragopoulou AF, Polyzos A, Papadopoulou M, Sansone A, Manta AK, Balafas E, Kostomitsopoulos N, Skouroliakou A, Chatgilialoglu C, Georgakilas A, Stravopodis DJ, Ferreri C, Thanos D, Margaritis LH. Hippocampal lipidome and transcriptome profile alterations triggered by acute exposure of mice to GSM 1800 MHz mobile phone radiation: An exploratory study. Brain Behav 2018; 8:e01001. [PMID: 29786969 PMCID: PMC5991598 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The widespread use of wireless devices during the last decades is raising concerns about adverse health effects of the radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) emitted from these devices. Recent research is focusing on unraveling the underlying mechanisms of RF-EMR and potential cellular targets. The "omics" high-throughput approaches are powerful tools to investigate the global effects of RF-EMR on cellular physiology. METHODS In this work, C57BL/6 adult male mice were whole-body exposed (nExp = 8) for 2 hr to GSM 1800 MHz mobile phone radiation at an average electric field intensity range of 4.3-17.5 V/m or sham-exposed (nSE = 8), and the RF-EMR effects on the hippocampal lipidome and transcriptome profiles were assessed 6 hr later. RESULTS The data analysis of the phospholipid fatty acid residues revealed that the levels of four fatty acids [16:0, 16:1 (6c + 7c), 18:1 9c, eicosapentaenoic acid omega-3 (EPA, 20:5 ω3)] and the two fatty acid sums of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids (SFA and MUFA) were significantly altered (p < 0.05) in the exposed group. The observed changes indicate a membrane remodeling response of the tissue phospholipids after nonionizing radiation exposure, reducing SFA and EPA, while increasing MUFA residues. The microarray data analysis demonstrated that the expression of 178 genes changed significantly (p < 0.05) between the two groups, revealing an impact on genes involved in critical biological processes, such as cell cycle, DNA replication and repair, cell death, cell signaling, nervous system development and function, immune system response, lipid metabolism, and carcinogenesis. CONCLUSIONS This study provides preliminary evidence that mobile phone radiation induces hippocampal lipidome and transcriptome changes that may explain the brain proteome changes and memory deficits previously shown by our group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adamantia F. Fragopoulou
- Department of Cell Biology and BiophysicsFaculty of BiologyUniversity of AthensZografouAthensGreece
- Department of Women’s and Children’s HealthKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Alexandros Polyzos
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Genetics and BiotechnologyBiomedical Research FoundationAcademy of AthensAthensGreece
- Present address:
Joan and Sanford I. Weill Department of MedicineWeill Cornell Medical CollegeNew York10065New York
| | - Maria‐Despoina Papadopoulou
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Genetics and BiotechnologyBiomedical Research FoundationAcademy of AthensAthensGreece
| | - Anna Sansone
- Consiglio Nazionale delle RicercheISOFBolognaItaly
| | - Areti K. Manta
- Department of Cell Biology and BiophysicsFaculty of BiologyUniversity of AthensZografouAthensGreece
| | - Evangelos Balafas
- Laboratory Animal FacilitiesCenter of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational ResearchBiomedical Research FoundationAcademy of AthensAthensGreece
| | - Nikolaos Kostomitsopoulos
- Laboratory Animal FacilitiesCenter of Clinical, Experimental Surgery and Translational ResearchBiomedical Research FoundationAcademy of AthensAthensGreece
| | | | - Chryssostomos Chatgilialoglu
- Consiglio Nazionale delle RicercheISOFBolognaItaly
- Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (INN)NCSR DemokritosAthensGreece
| | - Alexandros Georgakilas
- DNA Damage LaboratoryDepartment of PhysicsSchool of Applied Mathematical and Physical SciencesNational Technical University of Athens (NTUA)AthensGreece
| | - Dimitrios J. Stravopodis
- Department of Cell Biology and BiophysicsFaculty of BiologyUniversity of AthensZografouAthensGreece
| | | | - Dimitris Thanos
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Genetics and BiotechnologyBiomedical Research FoundationAcademy of AthensAthensGreece
| | - Lukas H. Margaritis
- Department of Cell Biology and BiophysicsFaculty of BiologyUniversity of AthensZografouAthensGreece
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5
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Lamkowski A, Kreitlow M, Radunz J, Willenbockel M, Sabath F, Schuhn W, Stiemer M, Fichte LO, Dudzinski M, Böhmelt S, Ullmann R, Majewski M, Franchini V, Eder S, Rump A, Port M, Abend M. Gene Expression Analysis in Human Peripheral Blood Cells after 900 MHz RF-EMF Short-Term Exposure. Radiat Res 2018; 189:529-540. [DOI: 10.1667/rr14909.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Lamkowski
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, AllergieZENTRUM, Klinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Kreitlow
- NBC-Protection, Bundeswehr Research Institute for Protective Technology, Munster, Germany
| | - Jörg Radunz
- NBC-Protection, Bundeswehr Research Institute for Protective Technology, Munster, Germany
| | - Martin Willenbockel
- NBC-Protection, Bundeswehr Research Institute for Protective Technology, Munster, Germany
| | - Frank Sabath
- NBC-Protection, Bundeswehr Research Institute for Protective Technology, Munster, Germany
| | - Winfried Schuhn
- NBC-Protection, Bundeswehr Research Institute for Protective Technology, Munster, Germany
| | - Marcus Stiemer
- Theory of Electrical Engineering, Helmut Schmidt University of the Federal Armed Forces, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lars Ole Fichte
- Theory of Electrical Engineering, Helmut Schmidt University of the Federal Armed Forces, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Dudzinski
- Theory of Electrical Engineering, Helmut Schmidt University of the Federal Armed Forces, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Böhmelt
- Theory of Electrical Engineering, Helmut Schmidt University of the Federal Armed Forces, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Stefan Eder
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Alexis Rump
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Munich, Germany
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6
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Goyal R, Bhargava R. FEM simulation of EM field effect on body tissues with bio-nanofluid (blood with nanoparticles) for nanoparticle mediated hyperthermia. Math Biosci 2018; 300:76-86. [PMID: 29580853 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbs.2018.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The study of temperature profiles and heat transport within the human body when subjected to electromagnetic waves is crucial for development and improvement of radiofrequency hyperthermia treatments. These treatments being minimally invasive can be a better alternative over surgery and chemotherapy for treatment of cancer. Nanoparticle-mediated hyperthermia for cancer therapy is a growing area of cancer nanomedicine because of the potential for localized and targeted destruction of cancer cells. This treatment is dependent on many factors, including thermal conductivity of bio-nanofluid, volume fraction of nanoparticles,excitation wavelength and power and metabolic heat generation. The present study employs Finite Element Method to investigate and optimize the effects of these parameters on temperature distributions and discuss the heat transport within the human body injected with nanoparticles and subjected to electromagnetic waves. The LTNE (Local Thermal Non Equilibrium) model is used to characterize the bioheat transport through the biological medium. In order to understand the effects induced by imposed electromagnetic field, the specific absorption rate (SAR) of body tissues is also studied. The results obtained have been validated against the pertinent numerical results in the literature. This study provides benchmark numerical solutions for heat transport through biological media thereby, helping in understanding the thermophysiologic response of bio-nanofluid towards imposed electromagnetic radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rangoli Goyal
- Department of Mathematics, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, India.
| | - Rama Bhargava
- Department of Mathematics, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, India.
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7
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de Pomerai DI, Iqbal N, Lafayette I, Nagarajan A, Kaviani Moghadam M, Fineberg A, Reader T, Greedy S, Smartt C, Thomas DWP. Microwave fields have little effect on α-synuclein aggregation in a Caenorhabditis elegans model of Parkinson's disease. Bioelectromagnetics 2016; 37:116-29. [PMID: 26879225 DOI: 10.1002/bem.21959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Accepted: 01/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Potential health effects of radiofrequency (RF) radiation from mobile phones arouse widespread public concern. RF fields from handheld devices near the brain might trigger or aggravate brain tumors or neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD). Aggregation of neural α-synuclein (S) is central to PD pathophysiology, and invertebrate models expressing human S have helped elucidate factors affecting the aggregation process. We have recently developed a transgenic strain of Caenorhabditis elegans carrying two S constructs: SC tagged with cyan (C) blue fluorescent protein (CFP), and SV with the Venus (V) variant of yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). During S aggregation in these SC+SV worms, CFP, and YFP tags are brought close enough to allow Foerster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET). As a positive control, S aggregation was promoted at low Hg(2+) concentrations, whereas higher concentrations activated stress-response genes. Using two different exposure systems described previously, we tested whether RF fields (1.0 GHz CW, 0.002-0.02 W kg(-1); 1.8 GHz CW or GSM, 1.8 W kg(-1)) could influence S aggregation in SC+SV worms. YFP fluorescence in similar SV-only worms provided internal controls, which should show opposite changes due to FRET quenching during S aggregation. No statistically significant changes were observed over several independent runs at 2.5, 24, or 96 h. Although our worm model is sensitive to chemical promoters of aggregation, no similar effects were attributable to RF exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nooria Iqbal
- School of Biology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Ivan Lafayette
- School of Biology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Archana Nagarajan
- School of Biology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - April Fineberg
- School of Biology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Tom Reader
- School of Biology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Steve Greedy
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Smartt
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - David W P Thomas
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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8
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Yang PK. Effect of external electrostatic field on the stability of β sheet structures. Biopolymers 2016; 101:861-70. [PMID: 24459117 DOI: 10.1002/bip.22464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2013] [Revised: 01/19/2014] [Accepted: 01/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
To explore the effect of an external electrostatic field (EEF) on the stability of protein conformations, the molecular dynamic modeling approach was applied to evaluate the effect of an EEF along the x or y direction on a water cluster containing a parallel or antiparallel β sheet structure. The β sheet structure contained two strands with a (Gly)3 sequence separated by a distance d along the x direction. The mean forces between the two strands along the x direction were computed from the trajectories of molecular dynamics simulations. In the absence of the EEF, the forces between the two strands in vacuum were repulsive and attractive in the parallel and antiparallel β sheet structures, respectively. In contrast, the mean forces between the two strands in water were attractive in both the parallel and antiparallel β sheet structures. This is because the electric interactions between the two strands were shielded by water, and the hydrophobic effect dominated the interaction between the two strands. When an EEF >50 MV/cm was applied to the water cluster, the attractive force between the two strands in the parallel and antiparallel β sheet structures decreased and increased, respectively. Further, the binding affinity between the two strands in the parallel and antiparallel β sheet structures also decreased and increased, respectively. This is because the large EEF leads to dielectric saturation, and consequently reduces the effects of the dielectric shielding and hydrophobic interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Kun Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, I-SHOU University, Kaohsiung 840, Taiwan, Republic of China
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9
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Black B, Granja-Vazquez R, Johnston BR, Jones E, Romero-Ortega M. Anthropogenic Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Elicit Neuropathic Pain in an Amputation Model. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0144268. [PMID: 26760033 PMCID: PMC4712049 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Anecdotal and clinical reports have suggested that radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMFs) may serve as a trigger for neuropathic pain. However, these reports have been widely disregarded, as the epidemiological effects of electromagnetic fields have not been systematically proven, and are highly controversial. Here, we demonstrate that anthropogenic RF EMFs elicit post-neurotomy pain in a tibial neuroma transposition model. Behavioral assays indicate a persistent and significant pain response to RF EMFs when compared to SHAM surgery groups. Laser thermometry revealed a transient skin temperature increase during stimulation. Furthermore, immunofluorescence revealed an increased expression of temperature sensitive cation channels (TRPV4) in the neuroma bulb, suggesting that RF EMF-induced pain may be due to cytokine-mediated channel dysregulation and hypersensitization, leading to thermal allodynia. Additional behavioral assays were performed using an infrared heating lamp in place of the RF stimulus. While thermally-induced pain responses were observed, the response frequency and progression did not recapitulate the RF EMF effects. In vitro calcium imaging experiments demonstrated that our RF EMF stimulus is sufficient to directly contribute to the depolarization of dissociated sensory neurons. Furthermore, the perfusion of inflammatory cytokine TNF-α resulted in a significantly higher percentage of active sensory neurons during RF EMF stimulation. These results substantiate patient reports of RF EMF-pain, in the case of peripheral nerve injury, while confirming the public and scientific consensus that anthropogenic RF EMFs engender no adverse sensory effects in the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan Black
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, TX, 75080, United States of America
| | - Rafael Granja-Vazquez
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, TX, 75080, United States of America
| | - Benjamin R. Johnston
- Alpert Medical School, Brown University, 222 Richmond St., Providence, RI, 02903, United States of America
| | - Erick Jones
- Department of Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington, 500 West 1st St., Arlington, TX, 76019, United States of America
| | - Mario Romero-Ortega
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Road, Richardson, TX, 75080, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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10
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Kuo SM, Yang PK. Factors altering the affinity of protein-ligand binding in an external electrostatic field. Bioelectrochemistry 2015; 104:17-25. [PMID: 25681551 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2015.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2014] [Revised: 01/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The effects of an external electric field on the binding affinity for protein-ligand complexes was determined by applying electric field E(ext) to a water cluster containing two electric dipoles separated by a certain distance. The mean forces on these two dipoles were computed from the trajectories of molecular dynamics simulations. The results showed that the mean attractive force and the binding affinity between these two dipoles decreased with increasing E(ext). Two factors governing the effects of E(ext) on the binding affinity of protein-ligand interactions were proposed. (1) When E(ext) is applied to a water cluster containing protein-ligand complexes, the water molecules neighboring ligand will be repelled from the ligand; the mean van der Waals repulsive force exerted on the ligand by these water molecules would decrease, leading to a decrease in the binding affinity between the protein and the ligand. (2) The mean electrostatic force exerted on the ligand by the water molecules polarized by E(ext) is thought to result from the dielectric polarization (P(protein)) in the region occupied by the protein, where P(protein) is proportional to -E(ext).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shyh-Ming Kuo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, I-SHOU University, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Pei-Kun Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, I-SHOU University, Kaohsiung 82445, Taiwan, ROC.
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11
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Power frequency magnetic fields induced reactive oxygen species-related autophagy in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2014; 57:108-14. [PMID: 25450462 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2014.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2014] [Revised: 09/30/2014] [Accepted: 10/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Power frequency magnetic fields (PFMF) have been reported to affect several cellular functions, such as cell proliferation and apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the effects of PFMF on mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) autophagy. After cells were exposed to 50 Hz PFMF at 2 mT for 0.5 h, 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h, we observed a significant increase in autophagic markers at 6 h, including (i) higher microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-II (LC3-II), (ii) the increased formation of GFP-LC3 puncta, and (iii) increased numbers of autophagic vacuoles under transmission electron microscope. Moreover, we provide convincing evidence using chloroquine (CQ) that the increase of autophagic markers was the result of enhanced autophagic flux and not the suppression of lysosomal function. In a search for molecular mechanisms underlying PFMF-mediated autophagy, we observe that the autophagic process involved reactive oxygen species (ROS) and was independent of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway.
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12
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Valbonesi P, Franzellitti S, Bersani F, Contin A, Fabbri E. Effects of the exposure to intermittent 1.8 GHz radio frequency electromagnetic fields on HSP70 expression and MAPK signaling pathways in PC12 cells. Int J Radiat Biol 2014; 90:382-91. [PMID: 24512569 DOI: 10.3109/09553002.2014.892225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We previously reported effects on heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) mRNA expression, a cytoprotective protein induced under stressful condition, in human trophoblast cells exposed to amplitude-modulated Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) signals. In the present work the same experimental conditions were applied to the rat PC12 cells, in order to assess the stress responses mediated by HSP70 and by the Mitogen Activated Protein Kinases (MAPK) in neuronal-like cells, an interesting model to study possible effects of mobile phone frequencies exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS HSP70 gene expression level was evaluated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, HSP70 protein expression and MAPK phosphorylation were assessed by Western blotting. PC12 cells were exposed for 4, 16 or 24 h to 1.8 GHz continuous wave signal (CW, carrier frequency without modulation) or to two different GSM modulation schemes, GSM-217Hz and GSM-Talk (which generates temporal changes between two different GSM signals, active during talking or listening phases, respectively, thus simulating a typical conversation). Specific adsorption rate (SAR) was 2 W/kg. RESULTS After PC12 cells exposure to the GSM-217Hz signal for 16 or 24 h, HSP70 transcription significantly increased, whereas no effect was observed in cells exposed to the CW or GSM-Talk signals. HSP70 protein expression and three different MAPK signaling pathways were not affected by the exposure to any of the three different 1.8 GHz signals. CONCLUSION The positive effect on HSP70 mRNA expression, observed only in cells exposed to the GSM-217Hz signal, is a repeatable response previously reported in human trophoblast cells and now confirmed in PC12 cells. Further investigations towards a possible role of 1.8 GHz signal modulation are therefore advisable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Valbonesi
- Interdepartmental Centre for Environmental Science Research, University of Bologna , Ravenna
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13
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Yang PK. Dependence of interaction free energy between solutes on an external electrostatic field. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:14408-25. [PMID: 23852018 PMCID: PMC3742251 DOI: 10.3390/ijms140714408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2013] [Revised: 06/27/2013] [Accepted: 07/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
To explore the athermal effect of an external electrostatic field on the stabilities of protein conformations and the binding affinities of protein-protein/ligand interactions, the dependences of the polar and hydrophobic interactions on the external electrostatic field, -Eext, were studied using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. By decomposing Eext into, along, and perpendicular to the direction formed by the two solutes, the effect of Eext on the interactions between these two solutes can be estimated based on the effects from these two components. Eext was applied along the direction of the electric dipole formed by two solutes with opposite charges. The attractive interaction free energy between these two solutes decreased for solutes treated as point charges. In contrast, the attractive interaction free energy between these two solutes increased, as observed by MD simulations, for Eext = 40 or 60 MV/cm. Eext was applied perpendicular to the direction of the electric dipole formed by these two solutes. The attractive interaction free energy was increased for Eext = 100 MV/cm as a result of dielectric saturation. The force on the solutes along the direction of Eext computed from MD simulations was greater than that estimated from a continuum solvent in which the solutes were treated as point charges. To explore the hydrophobic interactions, Eext was applied to a water cluster containing two neutral solutes. The repulsive force between these solutes was decreased/increased for Eext along/perpendicular to the direction of the electric dipole formed by these two solutes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Kun Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, I-SHOU University, Kaohsiung 84001, Taiwan.
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Rodríguez-De la Fuente AO, Alcocer-González JM, Heredia-Rojas JA, Rodríguez-Padilla C, Rodríguez-Flores LE, Santoyo-Stephano MA, Castañeda-Garza E, Taméz-Guerra RS. Effect of 60 Hz electromagnetic fields on the activity of hsp70 promoter: an in vivo study. CELL BIOLOGY INTERNATIONAL REPORTS 2012; 19:e00014. [PMID: 23124775 PMCID: PMC3476825 DOI: 10.1042/cbr20110010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2011] [Accepted: 01/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to EMFs (electromagnetic fields) results in a number of important biological changes, including modification of genetic expression. We have investigated the effect of 60 Hz sinusoidal EMFs at a magnetic flux density of 80 μT on the expression of the luciferase gene contained in a plasmid labelled as pEMF (EMF plasmid). This gene construct contains the specific sequences for the induction of hsp70 (heat-shock protein 70) expression by EMFs, as well as the reporter for the luciferase gene. The pEMF vector was electrotransferred into quadriceps muscles of BALB/c mice that were later exposed to EMFs. Increased luciferase expression was observed in mice exposed to EMFs 2 h daily for 7 days compared with controls (P<0.05). These data along with other reports in the literature suggest that EMFs can have far-reaching effects on the genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham O. Rodríguez-De la Fuente
- *Universidad Autnoma de Nuevo Len, UANL, Facultad de Ciencias
Biolgicas, Av. Universidad sn Ciudad Universitaria San Nicols de los
Garza Nuevo Len, C.P. 66451, Mexico
| | - Juan M. Alcocer-González
- *Universidad Autnoma de Nuevo Len, UANL, Facultad de Ciencias
Biolgicas, Av. Universidad sn Ciudad Universitaria San Nicols de los
Garza Nuevo Len, C.P. 66451, Mexico
| | - J. Antonio Heredia-Rojas
- *Universidad Autnoma de Nuevo Len, UANL, Facultad de Ciencias
Biolgicas, Av. Universidad sn Ciudad Universitaria San Nicols de los
Garza Nuevo Len, C.P. 66451, Mexico
| | - Cristina Rodríguez-Padilla
- *Universidad Autnoma de Nuevo Len, UANL, Facultad de Ciencias
Biolgicas, Av. Universidad sn Ciudad Universitaria San Nicols de los
Garza Nuevo Len, C.P. 66451, Mexico
| | - Laura E. Rodríguez-Flores
- †Universidad Autnoma de Nuevo Len, UANL, Facultad de
Medicina, Av. Universidad sn Ciudad Universitaria San Nicols de los
Garza Nuevo Len, C.P. 66451, Mexico
| | - Martha A. Santoyo-Stephano
- *Universidad Autnoma de Nuevo Len, UANL, Facultad de Ciencias
Biolgicas, Av. Universidad sn Ciudad Universitaria San Nicols de los
Garza Nuevo Len, C.P. 66451, Mexico
| | - Esperanza Castañeda-Garza
- *Universidad Autnoma de Nuevo Len, UANL, Facultad de Ciencias
Biolgicas, Av. Universidad sn Ciudad Universitaria San Nicols de los
Garza Nuevo Len, C.P. 66451, Mexico
| | - Reyes S. Taméz-Guerra
- *Universidad Autnoma de Nuevo Len, UANL, Facultad de Ciencias
Biolgicas, Av. Universidad sn Ciudad Universitaria San Nicols de los
Garza Nuevo Len, C.P. 66451, Mexico
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Expression of ornithine decarboxylase during the transport of saquinavir across the blood–brain barrier using composite polymeric nanocarriers under an electromagnetic field. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2011; 88:627-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2011.07.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2011] [Revised: 07/22/2011] [Accepted: 07/26/2011] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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16
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Torgomyan H, Trchounian A. Low-intensity electromagnetic irradiation of 70.6 and 73 GHz frequencies enhances the effects of disulfide bonds reducer on Escherichia coli growth and affects the bacterial surface oxidation-reduction state. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2011; 414:265-9. [PMID: 21951849 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2011.09.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2011] [Accepted: 09/14/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Low-intensity electromagnetic irradiation (EMI) of 70.6 and 73 GHz frequencies (flux capacity - 0.06 mW cm(-2)) had bactericidal effects on Escherichia coli. This EMI (1h) exposure suppressed the growth of E. coli K-12(λ). The pH value (6.0-8.0) did not significantly affect the growth. The lag-phase duration was prolonged, and the growth specific rate was inhibited, and these effects were more noticeable after 73 GHz irradiation. These effects were enhanced by the addition of DL-dithiothreitol (DTT), a strong reducer of disulfide bonds in surface membrane proteins, which in its turn also has bactericidal effect. Further, the number of accessible SH-groups in membrane vesicles was markedly decreased by EMI that was augmented by N,N'-dicyclohexycarbodiimide and DTT. These results indicate a change in the oxidation-reduction state of bacterial cell membrane proteins that could be the primary membranous mechanism in the bactericidal effects of low-intensity EMI of the 70.6 and 73 GHz frequencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heghine Torgomyan
- Department of Biophysics of Biology Faculty, Yerevan State University, Yerevan 0025, Armenia
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Fortune JA, Wu BI, Klibanov AM. Radio frequency radiation causes no nonthermal damage in enzymes and living cells. Biotechnol Prog 2011; 26:1772-6. [PMID: 20572294 DOI: 10.1002/btpr.462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The ability of radio frequency radiation (RFR) to exert irreversible nonthermal (i.e., not caused by accompanying heat) effects on biologics has been widely debated due to a relative paucity of comprehensive critical details in published reports dealing with this issue. In this study, we used rigorous control over experimental conditions to determine whether continuous RFR nonthermally affects commercially important enzymes and live bacterial and human cells using three most commonly used frequencies in current RF identification technology, namely 2.45 GHz, 915 MHz, and 13.56 MHz. Diverse biological samples were exposed to RFR under deliberately harsh conditions to increase the likelihood of observing such effects should they exist. Enzymatic activities of horseradish peroxidase and β-galactosidase in aqueous solution exhibited no statistically discernable consequences of even very intense RFR. Likewise, with putative thermal effects excluded, the viabilities of bacteria (both gram-positive and gram-negative) and of human cells were not detectably compromised by such an RFR exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Fortune
- Dept. of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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Abstract
A number of potential effects of mobile cellular phones on human health have been pinpointed, but the question of whether they affect bone mineralization has rarely been addressed. This study assessed differences in bone mineralization in the right and left hip of healthy male adult volunteers who were either nonusers of mobile phones (n=24) or users who carried the phone close to the right hip, for at least 1 year (n=24). Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (GE Lunar Prodigy) was performed in dual femur mode for each subject. Right and left hip bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were compared. No difference in mean BMDs and BMCs between groups was found. Nonusers had higher BMC in the right femoral neck (P=0.0044), a difference absent in mobile phone users (P=0.028 for the right-left difference in nonusers vs users). Mobile phone users, but not nonusers, had lower BMD at the right trochanter (P=0.027) and lower BMC at the right trochanter (P=0.014) and right total hip (P=0.039). Linear regression showed a correlation between estimated cumulative hours carrying a cell phone on the right hip and differences between right and left trochanter BMD (r=0.434; P=0.034). The different asymmetries between right and left hip dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry values in nonusers and mobile phone users suggest that these devices may adversely affect bone mineralization.
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Volkow ND, Tomasi D, Wang GJ, Vaska P, Fowler JS, Telang F, Alexoff D, Logan J, Wong C. Effects of cell phone radiofrequency signal exposure on brain glucose metabolism. JAMA 2011; 305:808-13. [PMID: 21343580 PMCID: PMC3184892 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2011.186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The dramatic increase in use of cellular telephones has generated concern about possible negative effects of radiofrequency signals delivered to the brain. However, whether acute cell phone exposure affects the human brain is unclear. OBJECTIVE To evaluate if acute cell phone exposure affects brain glucose metabolism, a marker of brain activity. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Randomized crossover study conducted between January 1 and December 31, 2009, at a single US laboratory among 47 healthy participants recruited from the community. Cell phones were placed on the left and right ears and positron emission tomography with ((18)F)fluorodeoxyglucose injection was used to measure brain glucose metabolism twice, once with the right cell phone activated (sound muted) for 50 minutes ("on" condition) and once with both cell phones deactivated ("off" condition). Statistical parametric mapping was used to compare metabolism between on and off conditions using paired t tests, and Pearson linear correlations were used to verify the association of metabolism and estimated amplitude of radiofrequency-modulated electromagnetic waves emitted by the cell phone. Clusters with at least 1000 voxels (volume >8 cm(3)) and P < .05 (corrected for multiple comparisons) were considered significant. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Brain glucose metabolism computed as absolute metabolism (μmol/100 g per minute) and as normalized metabolism (region/whole brain). RESULTS Whole-brain metabolism did not differ between on and off conditions. In contrast, metabolism in the region closest to the antenna (orbitofrontal cortex and temporal pole) was significantly higher for on than off conditions (35.7 vs 33.3 μmol/100 g per minute; mean difference, 2.4 [95% confidence interval, 0.67-4.2]; P = .004). The increases were significantly correlated with the estimated electromagnetic field amplitudes both for absolute metabolism (R = 0.95, P < .001) and normalized metabolism (R = 0.89; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS In healthy participants and compared with no exposure, 50-minute cell phone exposure was associated with increased brain glucose metabolism in the region closest to the antenna. This finding is of unknown clinical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora D Volkow
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, 6001 Executive Blvd, Room 5274, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Gaestel M. Biological monitoring of non-thermal effects of mobile phone radiation: recent approaches and challenges. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2010; 85:489-500. [PMID: 20015314 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-185x.2009.00112.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This review describes recent developments in analysing the influence of radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs ) on biological systems by monitoring the cellular stress response as well as overall gene expression. Recent data on the initiation and modulation of the classical cellular stress response by RF-EMFs, comprising expression of heat shock proteins and stimulation of stress-activated protein kinases, are summarised and evaluated. Since isothermic RF-EMF exposure is assumed rather than proven there are clear limitations in using the stress response to describe non-thermal effects of RF-EMFs. In particular, further experiments are needed to characterise better the threshold of the thermal heat shock response and the homogeneity of the cellular response in the whole sample for each biological system used. Before then, it is proposed that the absence of the classical stress response can define isothermal experimental conditions and qualifies other biological effects of RF-EMFs detected under these conditions to be of non-thermal origin. To minimise the probability that by making this assumption valuable insights into the nature of biological effects of RF-EMFs could be lost, proteotoxic non-thermal RF-EMF effects should also be monitored by measuring activities of labile intracellular enzymes and/or levels of their metabolites before the threshold for the heat shock response is reached. In addition, non-thermal induction of the stress response via promoter elements distinct from the heat shock element (HSE) should be analysed using HSE-mutated heat shock promoter reporter constructs. Screening for non-thermal RF-EMF effects in the absence of a classical stress response should be performed by transcriptomics and proteomics. Recent approaches demonstrate that due to their high-throughput characteristics, these methods inherently generate false positive results and require statistical evaluation based on quantitative expression analysis from a sufficient number of independent experiments with identical parameters. In future approaches, positive results must be confirmed by independent quantitative methods and should also be evaluated in vivo to prove possible non-thermal effects of RF-EMFs on living beings. If successful, this strategy should contribute to identification of new underlying molecular mechanisms of interaction between RF-EMFs and living beings distinct from absorption of thermal energy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Gaestel
- Institute of Biochemistry, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
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21
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Sakai H, Horiguchi N, Endoh D, Nakayama K, Hayashi M. Radiofrequency radiation at 40 kHz induces hepatic injury in Long-Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rats, an animal model for human Wilson disease. J Vet Med Sci 2010; 73:299-304. [PMID: 20953126 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.10-0256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we examined effects of radiofrequency (RF) radiation at 40 kHz on hepatic injury in Long-Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rats, an animal model for human Wilson disease, which is a heritable disease of copper metabolism in the liver. The activities of ALT and AST in serum of LEC rats exposed to RF radiation for 2 weeks were approximately 3.8-fold and 2-fold higher than those in serum of sham-exposed rats, respectively. Although there were no significant differences in hepatic copper contents between LEC rats exposed to RF radiation for 2 weeks and sham-exposed rats, copper contents in the kidney and serum of exposed LEC rats were approximately 4.2-fold and 12.9-fold higher than those in sham-exposed rats, respectively. Relative O₂⁻-scavenging activities in the S-100 fraction of the liver of LEC rats exposed to RF radiation for 2 weeks were 1.6-fold higher than those in sham-exposed rats. No significant differences were observed in activities of AST and ALT in serum and relative O₂⁻-scavenging activity in the S-100 fraction of the liver of normal control WKAH rats that were sham-exposed and exposed to RF radiation. No significant differences were observed in copper contents in the liver, kidney and serum of WKAH rats that were sham-exposed and exposed to RF radiation for 2 weeks. The results show that RF radiation at 40 kHz induced hepatic injury in LEC rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Sakai
- Department of Basic Veterinary Radiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Ebetsu
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22
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Vorobyov V, Janać B, Pesić V, Prolić Z. Repeated exposure to low-level extremely low frequency-modulated microwaves affects cortex-hypothalamus interplay in freely moving rats: EEG study. Int J Radiat Biol 2010; 86:376-83. [PMID: 20397842 DOI: 10.3109/09553000903567938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare the effects of repeated exposure to extremely low frequency-modulated microwaves (ELF-MW) on cortical and hypothalamic electroencephalograms (EEG). MATERIALS AND METHODS In 10 freely moving rats with carbon electrodes implanted into the cortex and dorsomedial hypothalamus, averaged frequency spectra (0.5-30 Hz) of the EEG were studied for five consecutive days either under sham exposures (five rats) or under mixed sham/MW-exposures (five rats). The rats were exposed to ELF-MW (915 MHz, 20-ms pulse duration, approximately 0.3 mW/cm(2), 4 Hz) intermittently (1-min 'On', 1-min 'Off') for 10 min (specific absorption rate, SAR, approximately 0.7 mW/g on average) several times per day, with 10-min pre- and post-exposure periods. RESULTS In baseline EEG, the activities of 3.2-6.0 Hz and 17.8-30.5 Hz dominated in the cortex and of 6.0-17.8 Hz in the hypothalamus. This cortical-hypothalamic imbalance was relatively stable at sham-exposures and insensitive to ELF-MW in all frequency ranges but one. ELF-MW increased the beta(2) (17.8-30.5 Hz) level in the hypothalamus to a greater extent than in the cortex, causing significant diminishing of the initial EEG bias between them. Moreover, a cumulative phenomenon under repeated exposures to ELF-MW was revealed. CONCLUSIONS These results are in line with evidence that repeated low-level exposure to ELF-MW affects brain functioning and provide an additional approach when analysing underlying mechanisms.
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Mizuno Y, Moriguchi Y, Hikage T, Terao Y, Ohnishi T, Nojima T, Ugawa Y. Effects of W-CDMA 1950 MHz EMF emitted by mobile phones on regional cerebral blood flow in humans. Bioelectromagnetics 2009; 30:536-44. [PMID: 19475648 DOI: 10.1002/bem.20508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Use of the third generation mobile phone system is increasing worldwide. This is the first study to investigate the effects of the third generation system on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in humans. We compared effects of the electromagnetic field (EMF) emitted from the Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) cellular system versus sham control exposure on rCBF in humans. Nine healthy male volunteers participated in this study. Positron emission tomography (PET) scans were obtained before, during, and after unilateral 30 min EMF exposure. The subtraction analysis revealed no significant rCBF changes caused by the EMF conditions compared with the sham exposure, suggesting that EMF emitted by a third generation mobile phone does not affect rCBF in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoko Mizuno
- Department of Neurology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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24
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McNamee JP, Chauhan V. Radiofrequency Radiation and Gene/Protein Expression: A Review. Radiat Res 2009; 172:265-87. [DOI: 10.1667/rr1726.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Blank M, Goodman R. Electromagnetic fields stress living cells. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 2009; 16:71-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pathophys.2009.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2009] [Accepted: 01/30/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
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Atli E, Unlü H. The effects of microwave frequency electromagnetic fields on the development ofDrosophila melanogaster. Int J Radiat Biol 2009; 82:435-41. [PMID: 16846978 DOI: 10.1080/09553000600798849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the effects of microwave frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) on the development of Drosophila melanogaster. MATERIALS AND METHODS Larvae of D. melanogaster were exposed to 10 GHz EMF continuously (3 h, 4 h and 5 h) and discontinuously (3 h exposure + 30 min interval + 3 h exposure). The percentages and times of transition from larvae to pupae and from pupae to adults were determined, and the mean offspring number was examined using the offspring of the females which had been exposed as larvae. RESULTS No differences were found in the transition percentages from larvae to pupae and from pupae to adults (p > 0.05). However, it was found that the mean pupation time was delayed linearly with an increasing electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure period (p < 0.05). In the 3 + 3-h exposed group (E3 + 3), the mean offspring number was significantly less than that of the control (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS 10 GHz EMF can cause developmental delay and decrease the number of offspring in D. melanogaster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emel Atli
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Beytepe, Ankara, Turkey.
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Galloni P, Lopresto V, Parazzini M, Pinto R, Piscitelli M, Ravazzani P, Marino C. No effects of UMTS exposure on the function of rat outer hair cells. Bioelectromagnetics 2009; 30:385-92. [DOI: 10.1002/bem.20483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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López-Martín E, Bregains J, Relova-Quinteiro JL, Cadarso-Suárez C, Jorge-Barreiro FJ, Ares-Pena FJ. The action of pulse-modulated GSM radiation increases regional changes in brain activity and c-Fos expression in cortical and subcortical areas in a rat model of picrotoxin-induced seizure proneness. J Neurosci Res 2009; 87:1484-99. [PMID: 19115403 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.21951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The action of the pulse-modulated GSM radiofrequency of mobile phones has been suggested as a physical phenomenon that might have biological effects on the mammalian central nervous system. In the present study, GSM-exposed picrotoxin-pretreated rats showed differences in clinical and EEG signs, and in c-Fos expression in the brain, with respect to picrotoxin-treated rats exposed to an equivalent dose of unmodulated radiation. Neither radiation treatment caused tissue heating, so thermal effects can be ruled out. The most marked effects of GSM radiation on c-Fos expression in picrotoxin-treated rats were observed in limbic structures, olfactory cortex areas and subcortical areas, the dentate gyrus, and the central lateral nucleus of the thalamic intralaminar nucleus group. Nonpicrotoxin-treated animals exposed to unmodulated radiation showed the highest levels of neuronal c-Fos expression in cortical areas. These results suggest a specific effect of the pulse modulation of GSM radiation on brain activity of a picrotoxin-induced seizure-proneness rat model and indicate that this mobile-phone-type radiation might induce regional changes in previous preexcitability conditions of neuronal activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- E López-Martín
- Morphological Sciences Department, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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29
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Finnie JW, Chidlow G, Blumbergs PC, Manavis J, Cai Z. Heat shock protein induction in fetal mouse brain as a measure of stress after whole of gestation exposure to mobile telephony radiofrequency fields. Pathology 2009; 41:276-9. [DOI: 10.1080/00313020902756261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Habash RWY, Elwood JM, Krewski D, Lotz WG, McNamee JP, Prato FS. Recent advances in research on radiofrequency fields and health: 2004-2007. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART B, CRITICAL REVIEWS 2009; 12:250-288. [PMID: 20183523 DOI: 10.1080/10937400903094125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The widespread use of wireless telecommunications devices, particularly mobile phones and wireless networks, has resulted in increased human exposure to radiofrequency (RF) fields. Although national and international agencies have established safety guidelines for exposure to RF fields, concerns remain about the potential for adverse health outcomes to occur in relation to RF field exposure. The extensive literature on RF fields and health was reviewed by a number of authorities, including the Royal Society of Canada (1999). This report is the third in a series of updates to the original report of the Royal Society of Canada, covering the period 2004-2007. In particular, the present study examined new data on (1) dosimetry and exposure assessment, (2) biological effects of RF fields such as enzyme induction, and (3) toxicological effects, including genotoxicity and carcinogenicity. Epidemiological studies of the potential health effects of RF exposure, particularly from mobile phones, were determined, along with human and animal studies of neurological and behavioural effects. Within the last 4 yrs investigators concluded that there is no clear evidence of adverse health effects associated with RF fields, although continued research is recommended to address specific areas of concern, including exposure to RF fields among children using mobile phones. The results of the ongoing 13-country World Health Organization INTERPHONE study of mobile phones may provide important new information on the potential cancer risks associated with mobile phone use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riadh W Y Habash
- R. Samuel McLaughlin Center for Population Health Risk Assessment, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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31
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Franzellitti S, Valbonesi P, Contin A, Biondi C, Fabbri E. HSP70 expression in human trophoblast cells exposed to different 1.8 Ghz mobile phone signals. Radiat Res 2009; 170:488-97. [PMID: 19024656 DOI: 10.1667/rr1405.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The heat-shock proteins (HSPs) are important cellular stress markers and have been proposed as candidates to infer biological effects of high-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs). In the current study, HSP70 gene and protein expression were evaluated in cells of the human trophoblast cell line HTR-8/SVneo after prolonged exposure (4 to 24 h) to 1.8 GHz continuous-wave (CW) and different GSM signals (GSM-217Hz and GSM-Talk) to assess the possible effects of time and modulation schemes on cell responses. Inducible HSP70 protein expression was not modified by high-frequency EMFs under any condition tested. The inducible HSP70A, HSP70B and the constitutive HSC70 transcripts did not change in cells exposed to high-frequency EMFs with the different modulation schemes. Instead, levels of the inducible HSP70C transcript were significantly enhanced after 24 h exposure to GSM-217Hz signals and reduced after 4 and 16 h exposure to GSM-Talk signals. As in other cell systems, in HTR-8/SVneo cells the response to high-frequency EMFs was detected at the mRNA level after exposure to amplitude-modulated GSM signals. The present results suggest that the expression analysis for multiple transcripts, though encoding the same or similar protein products, can be highly informative and may account for subtle changes not detected at the protein level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Franzellitti
- Interdepartmental Centre for Environmental Science Research, University of Bologna, 48100 Ravenna, Italy
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Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on seed germination and root meristematic cells of Allium cepa L. MUTATION RESEARCH-GENETIC TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS 2009; 672:76-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2008.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2007] [Revised: 08/03/2008] [Accepted: 09/19/2008] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Devrim E, Ergüder İB, Kılıçoğlu B, Yaykaşlı E, Çetin R, Durak İ. Effects of Electromagnetic Radiation Use on Oxidant/Antioxidant Status and DNA Turn-over Enzyme Activities in Erythrocytes and Heart, Kidney, Liver, and Ovary Tissues From Rats: Possible Protective Role of Vitamin C. Toxicol Mech Methods 2008; 18:679-83. [DOI: 10.1080/15376510701380182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Erdinç Devrim
- Ankara University, Faculty of Medicine Department of Biochemistry, Ankara, Turkey
| | - İmge B. Ergüder
- Ankara University, Faculty of Medicine Department of Biochemistry, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Bülent Kılıçoğlu
- Ankara Teaching and Research, Hospital Clinics of General Surgery, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Emine Yaykaşlı
- Ankara University, Faculty of Medicine Department of Biochemistry, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Recep Çetin
- Ankara Oncology Teaching and Research, Hospital Clinics of General Surgery, Ankara, Turkey
| | - İlker Durak
- Ankara University, Faculty of Medicine Department of Biochemistry, Ankara, Turkey
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Vanderstraeten J, Verschaeve L. Gene and protein expression following exposure to radiofrequency fields from mobile phones. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2008; 116:1131-1135. [PMID: 18795152 PMCID: PMC2535611 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.11279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2008] [Accepted: 05/09/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since 1999, several articles have been published on genome-wide and/or proteome-wide response after exposure to radiofrequency (RF) fields whose signal and intensities were similar to or typical of those of currently used mobile telephones. These studies were performed using powerful high-throughput screening techniques (HTSTs) of transcriptomics and/or proteomics, which allow for the simultaneous screening of the expression of thousands of genes or proteins. OBJECTIVES We reviewed these HTST-based studies and compared the results with currently accepted concepts about the effects of RF fields on gene expression. In this article we also discuss these last in light of the recent concept of microwave-assisted chemistry. DISCUSSION To date, the results of HTST-based studies of transcriptomics and/or proteomics after exposure to RF fields relevant to human exposure are still inconclusive, as most of the positive reports are flawed by methodologic imperfections or shortcomings. In addition, when positive findings were reported, no precise response pattern could be identified in a reproducible way. In particular, results from HTST studies tend to exclude the role of a cell stressor for exposure to RF fields at nonthermal intensities. However, on the basis of lessons from microwave-assisted chemistry, we can assume that RF fields might affect heat-sensitive gene or protein expression to an extent larger than would be predicted from temperature change only. But in all likelihood, this would concern intensities higher than those relevant to usual human exposure. CONCLUSIONS The precise role of transcriptomics and proteomics in the screening of bioeffects from exposure to RF fields from mobile phones is still uncertain in view of the lack of positively identified phenotypic change and the lack of theoretical, as well as experimental, arguments for specific gene and/or protein response patterns after this kind of exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacques Vanderstraeten
- Research Unit on Work Health and Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
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Valbonesi P, Franzellitti S, Piano A, Contin A, Biondi C, Fabbri E. Evaluation of HSP70 Expression and DNA Damage in Cells of a Human Trophoblast Cell Line Exposed to 1.8 GHz Amplitude-Modulated Radiofrequency Fields. Radiat Res 2008; 169:270-9. [DOI: 10.1667/rr1061.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2007] [Accepted: 10/05/2007] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Tkalec M, Malarić K, Pevalek-Kozlina B. Exposure to radiofrequency radiation induces oxidative stress in duckweed Lemna minor L. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2007; 388:78-89. [PMID: 17825879 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2007.07.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2006] [Revised: 07/19/2007] [Accepted: 07/27/2007] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Widespread use of radiofrequency radiation emitting devices increased the exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from 300 MHz to 300 GHz. Various biological effects of exposure to these fields have been documented so far, but very little work has been carried out on plants. The aim of the present work was to investigate the physiological responses of the plant Lemna minor after exposure to radiofrequency EMFs, and in particular, to clarify the possible role of oxidative stress in the observed effects. Duckweed was exposed for 2 h to EMFs of 400 and 900 MHz at field strengths of 10, 23, 41 and 120 V m(-1). The effect of a longer exposure time (4 h) and modulation was also investigated. After exposure, parameters of oxidative stress, such as lipid peroxidation, H(2)O(2) content, activities and isoenzyme pattern of antioxidative enzymes as well as HSP70 expression were evaluated. At 400 MHz, lipid peroxidation and H(2)O(2) content were significantly enhanced in duckweed exposed to EMFs of 23 and 120 V m(-1) while other exposure treatments did not have an effect. Compared to the controls, the activities of antioxidative enzymes showed different behaviour: catalase (CAT) activity increased after most exposure treatments while pyrogallol (PPX) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities were not changed. Exceptions were reduced PPX and APX activity after longer exposure at 23 V m(-1) and increased PPX activity after exposures at 10 and 120 V m(-1). By contrast, at 900 MHz almost all exposure treatments significantly increased level of lipid peroxidation and H(2)O(2) content but mostly decreased PPX activity and did not affect CAT activity. Exceptions were exposures to a modulated field and to the field of 120 V m(-1) which increased PPX and CAT activity. At this frequency APX activity was significantly decreased after exposure at 10 V m(-1) and longer exposure at 23 V m(-1) but it increased after a shorter exposure at 23 V m(-1). At both frequencies no differences in isoenzyme patterns of antioxidative enzymes or HSP70 level were found between control and exposed plants. Our results showed that non-thermal exposure to investigated radiofrequency fields induced oxidative stress in duckweed as well as unspecific stress responses, especially of antioxidative enzymes. However, the observed effects markedly depended on the field frequencies applied as well as on other exposure parameters (strength, modulation and exposure time). Enhanced lipid peroxidation and H(2)O(2) content accompanied by diminished antioxidative enzymes activity caused by exposure to investigated EMFs, especially at 900 MHz, indicate that oxidative stress could partly be due to changed activities of antioxidative enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirta Tkalec
- Department of Botany, Division of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Rooseveltov trg 6, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
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Zhao R, Zhang S, Xu Z, Ju L, Lu D, Yao G. Studying gene expression profile of rat neuron exposed to 1800MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields with cDNA microassay. Toxicology 2007; 235:167-75. [PMID: 17449163 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2007.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2007] [Revised: 03/13/2007] [Accepted: 03/13/2007] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A widespread use of mobile phone (MP) evokes a growing concern for their possible adverse effects on human, especially the brain. Gene expression is a unique way of characterizing how cells and organism adapt to changes in the external environment, so the aim of this investigation was to determine whether 1800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) can influence the gene expression of neuron. Affymetrix Rat Neurobiology U34 array was applied to investigate the changes of gene expression in rat neuron after exposed to the pulsed RF EMF at a frequency of 1800 MHz modulated by 217 Hz which is commonly used in MP. Among 1200 candidate genes, 24 up-regulated genes and 10 down-regulated genes were identified after 24-h intermittent exposure at an average special absorption rate (SAR) of 2 W/kg, which are associated with multiple cellular functions (cytoskeleton, signal transduction pathway, metabolism, etc.) after functional classification. The results were further confirmed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR). The present results indicated that the gene expression of rat neuron could be altered by exposure to RF EMF under our experimental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Zhao
- Bioelectromagnetics Laboratory, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine, 388 Yu Hang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Gottwald E, Sontag W, Lahni B, Weibezahn KF. Expression of HSP72 after ELF-EMF exposure in three cell lines. Bioelectromagnetics 2007; 28:509-18. [PMID: 17508393 DOI: 10.1002/bem.20327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
It has been reported that magnetic fields with flux densities ranging from microT to mT are able to induce heat shock factor, HSP72 mRNA or heat shock proteins in various cells. In this study we investigated changes in the HSP72 mRNA transcription level in three cell lines (HL-60, H9c2, and Girardi heart cells) and in the intracellular HSP72 protein content in two cell lines (HL-60 and Girardi heart cells) after treatment schemes using electromagnetic fields with a flux density of 2 microT to 4 mT, a frequency of 50 Hz and exposure times from 15 to 30 min. None of the treatments or modalities showed any significant effect on the HSP72 protein level, although HSP72 mRNA could be induced, at least to some extent, with one of the parameter combinations in all cell lines tested. Obviously, HSP72 mRNA transcription and translation are not necessarily coupled in certain cells. This leads to the conclusion that electromagnetic field effects on HSP72 mRNA levels are not indicative for downstream effects unless increased mRNA levels can be correlated with increased HSP72 protein levels as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Gottwald
- Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe, Institut für Biologische Grenzflächen, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany.
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Zhao TY, Zou SP, Knapp PE. Exposure to cell phone radiation up-regulates apoptosis genes in primary cultures of neurons and astrocytes. Neurosci Lett 2006; 412:34-8. [PMID: 17187929 PMCID: PMC2713174 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2006.09.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2005] [Revised: 09/19/2006] [Accepted: 09/19/2006] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The health effects of cell phone radiation exposure are a growing public concern. This study investigated whether expression of genes related to cell death pathways are dysregulated in primary cultured neurons and astrocytes by exposure to a working Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) cell phone rated at a frequency of 1900MHz. Primary cultures were exposed to cell phone emissions for 2h. We used array analysis and real-time RT-PCR to show up-regulation of caspase-2, caspase-6 and Asc (apoptosis associated speck-like protein containing a card) gene expression in neurons and astrocytes. Up-regulation occurred in both "on" and "stand-by" modes in neurons, but only in "on" mode in astrocytes. Additionally, astrocytes showed up-regulation of the Bax gene. The effects are specific since up-regulation was not seen for other genes associated with apoptosis, such as caspase-9 in either neurons or astrocytes, or Bax in neurons. The results show that even relatively short-term exposure to cell phone radiofrequency emissions can up-regulate elements of apoptotic pathways in cells derived from the brain, and that neurons appear to be more sensitive to this effect than astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pamela E. Knapp
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology and Kentucky Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536-0298, USA
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Koczan D, Thiesen HJ. Survey of microarray technologies suitable to elucidate transcriptional networks as exemplified by studying KRAB zinc finger gene families. Proteomics 2006; 6:4704-15. [PMID: 16933337 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.200600010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Current microarray systems are suitable to monitor genome-wide expression patterns, to detect single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), to identify target genes of transcription factors and DNA-protein interaction sites thereof as well as to determine genomic sites that are modified by methylation of CpG islands. In this review, advantages and limitations of individual microarray technologies are presented as well as experiences from ongoing studies on KRAB zinc finger gene families are taken to exemplify how different microarray approaches are applicable to elucidate complex transcriptional networks of gene regulation. However, bioinformaticians should be aware that each microarray technology has limitations in its sensitivity and selectivity that has to be taken into account once data mining on comprehensive genome-wide microarray data is conducted. In many cases, microarray results are the initial step to identify target genes of interest and to study the molecular regulation of biological processes thereof followed and validated by complementary proteome, metabolome or toponome analysis. Thus, microarray technologies can be considered a reliable approach for determining gene functions that might be modulated by electromagnetic fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Koczan
- Institute for Immunology/Proteome Center Rostock, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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Terao Y, Okano T, Furubayashi T, Ugawa Y. Effects of thirty-minute mobile phone use on visuo-motor reaction time. Clin Neurophysiol 2006; 117:2504-11. [PMID: 17005447 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2006.07.318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2006] [Revised: 07/15/2006] [Accepted: 07/28/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether exposure to pulsed high-frequency electromagnetic field (pulsed EMF) emitted by a mobile phone has short-term effects on the visuo-motor choice reaction time (RT) and movement time (MT). METHODS A double blind, counterbalanced crossover design was employed. In 16 normal subjects, we studied the performance of a visuo-motor precued choice reaction time task (PCRT) before and after exposure to EMF emitted by a mobile phone for 30 minutes or sham exposure. RESULTS The RTs and MTs under different conditions of precue information were not affected by exposure to pulsed EMF emitted by a mobile phone or by sham phone use. CONCLUSIONS Thirty minutes of mobile phone use has no significant short-term effect on the cortical visuo-motor processing as studied by the present PCRT task. SIGNIFICANCE This is the first study to investigate visuo-motor behavior in relation to mobile phone exposure. No significant effect of mobile phone use was demonstrated on the performance of the visuo-motor reaction time task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuo Terao
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine the University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan.
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Zeng Q, Chen G, Weng Y, Wang L, Chiang H, Lu D, Xu Z. Effects of Global System for Mobile Communications 1800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on gene and protein expression in MCF-7 cells. Proteomics 2006; 6:4732-8. [PMID: 16888767 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.200600234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Despite many studies over a decade, it still remains ambiguous as to the real biological effects induced by radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) utilized in mobile telephony. Here we investigated global gene and protein responses to RF EMF simulating the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) 1800 MHz signal in human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 using genomic and proteomic approaches. GeneChip analysis identified a handful of consistent changed genes after exposure to RF EMF at specific absorption rates (SAR) of up to 3.5 W/kg for 24 h. However, these differentially transcribed genes could not be further confirmed by real-time RT-PCR assay. Meanwhile, systematic proteome analysis of the MCF-7 cells revealed that a few but different proteins were differentially expressed under continuous or intermittent RF EMF exposure at SAR of 3.5 W/kg for 24 h or less, implying that the observed effects might have occurred by chance. Overall, the present study does not provide convincing evidence that RF EMF exposure under current experimental conditions can produce distinct effects on gene and protein expression in the MCF-7 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qunli Zeng
- Bioelectromagnetics Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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Ferreri F, Curcio G, Pasqualetti P, De Gennaro L, Fini R, Rossini PM. Mobile phone emissions and human brain excitability. Ann Neurol 2006; 60:188-96. [PMID: 16802289 DOI: 10.1002/ana.20906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test-via Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)-the excitability of each brain hemisphere after 'real' or 'sham' exposure to the electromagnetic field (EMF) generated by a mobile phone operating in the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM). METHODS Fifteen male volunteers attended two experimental sessions, one week apart, in a cross-over, double-blind paradigm. In one session the signal was turned ON (EMF-on, real exposure), in the other it was turned OFF (EMF-off, sham exposure), for 45 minutes. Motor Evoked Potentials (MEPs) were recorded using a paired-pulse paradigm (testing intracortical excitability with 1 to 17 ms interstimulus intervals), both before and at different times after exposure to the EMF. Short Intracortical Inhibition (SICI) and Facilitation (ICF) curves were evaluated both on the exposed and non-exposed hemispheres. Tympanic temperature was collected during each session. RESULTS The intracortical excitability curve becomes significantly modified during real exposure, with SICI being reduced and ICF enhanced in the acutely exposed brain hemisphere as compared to the contralateral, non-exposed hemisphere or to sham exposure. Tympanic temperature showed no significant main effect or interactions. INTERPRETATION These results demonstrate that GSM-EMFs modify brain excitability. Possible implications and applications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florinda Ferreri
- Department of Neurology, University Campus Biomedico, Isola Tiberina
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Qutob SS, Chauhan V, Bellier PV, Yauk CL, Douglas GR, Berndt L, Williams A, Gajda GB, Lemay E, Thansandote A, McNamee JP. Microarray Gene Expression Profiling of a Human Glioblastoma Cell Line ExposedIn Vitroto a 1.9 GHz Pulse-Modulated Radiofrequency Field. Radiat Res 2006; 165:636-44. [PMID: 16802863 DOI: 10.1667/rr3561.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The widespread use of mobile phones has led to public concerns about the health effects associated with exposure to radiofrequency (RF) fields. The paramount concern of most persons relates to the potential of these fields to cause cancer. Unlike ionizing radiation, RF fields used for mobile telecommunications (800-1900 MHz) do not possess sufficient energy to directly damage DNA. Most rodent bioassay and in vitro genotoxicity/mutation studies have reported that RF fields at non-thermal levels have no direct mutagenic, genotoxic or carcinogenic effects. However, some evidence has suggested that RF fields may cause detectable postexposure changes in gene expression. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the ability of exposure to a 1.9 GHz pulse-modulated RF field for 4 h at specific absorption rates (SARs) of 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 W/kg to affect global gene expression in U87MG glioblastoma cells. We found no evidence that non-thermal RF fields can affect gene expression in cultured U87MG cells relative to the nonirradiated control groups, whereas exposure to heat shock at 43 degrees C for 1 h up-regulated a number of typical stress-responsive genes in the positive control group. Future studies will assess the effect of RF fields on other cell lines and on gene expression in the mouse brain after in vivo exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- S S Qutob
- Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau, Healthy Environment and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 1C1
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Simkó M, Hartwig C, Lantow M, Lupke M, Mattsson MO, Rahman Q, Rollwitz J. Hsp70 expression and free radical release after exposure to non-thermal radio-frequency electromagnetic fields and ultrafine particles in human Mono Mac 6 cells. Toxicol Lett 2006; 161:73-82. [PMID: 16153791 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2005.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2005] [Revised: 08/02/2005] [Accepted: 08/05/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The contemporary urban environment has become increasingly complex in its composition, leading to discussions regarding possible novel health effects. Two factors that recently have received considerable attention are ultrafine particles (UFP; <0.1 microm) produced by combustion processes and emissions from wireless communication devices like mobile phones that emit in the radio-frequency (RF) part of the spectrum. Several studies have shown biological effects of both these exposures in various cell systems. Here we investigate if exposure to UFP (12-14 nm, 100 microg/ml) and RF-electromagnetic fields (EMF; 2 W/kg specific absorption rate (SAR); continuous wave (CW) or modulated (217Hz or GSM-nonDTX)), alone or in combination influences levels of the superoxide radical anion or the stress protein heat-shock protein (Hsp70) in the human monocyte cell line Mono Mac 6. Heat treatment (42-43 degrees C, 1h) was used as positive control for both stress reaction and for heat development in the RF exposure setup. Our results clearly show that Mono Mac 6 cells are capable to internalise UFP, and that this phagocytic activity is connected to an increased release of free radicals. This increase (40-45% above negative control) is stronger than the effect of heat treatment. On the other hand, none of the employed RF exposures showed any effects on free radical levels. Co-exposure of RF and UFP did not potentiate the UFP effect either. Our investigations showed a significantly increased Hsp70 expression level by heat treatment in a time-dependent manner, whereas UFP, RF, or UFP+RF were without any effect. Therefore, we conclude that in the investigated Mono Mac 6 cells, RF exposure alone or in combination with UFP cannot influence stress-related responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Simkó
- University of Rostock, Institute of Cell Biology and Biosystems Technology, Division of Environmental Physiology, Albert-Einstein-Str. 3, Germany.
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