No apoptosis is induced in rat cortical neurons exposed to GSM phone fields

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) effects on neuronal apoptosis in vitro. Primary cultured neurons from cortices of embryonic Wistar rats were exposed to a 900-MHz global system for mobile communication (GSM) RF field for 24 h in a wire-patch cell. The average-specific absorption rate (SAR) used was 0.25 W/kg. Apoptosis rate was assessed immediately or 24 h after exposure using three methods: (i) DAPI staining; (ii) flow cytometry using double staining with TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and propidium iodide (PI); and (iii) measurement of caspase-3 activity by fluorimetry. No statistically significant difference in the apoptosis rate was observed between controls and 24 h GSM-exposed neurons, either 0 h or 24 h post-exposure. All three methods used to assess apoptosis were concordant. These results showed that, under the conditions of experiment used, GSM-exposure does not significantly increase the apoptosis rate in rat primary neuronal cultures. This work is in accordance with other studies performed on cell lines and, to our knowledge, is the first one performed on cultured cortical neurons.

Modulation of heat shock protein response in SH-SY5Y by mobile phone microwaves

“…These results agree with previous studies that were unable to demonstrate any difference in apoptotic markers such as caspase-3 activity between the RF/MW exposed and unexposed cells [20,21] . Indeed, several in vitro studies have failed to demonstrate that effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields are responsible for cell damage, and results are still variable [22] .…”

Effects of Early-Onset Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure (GSM 900 MHz) on Behavior and Memory in Rats

“…Few studies of RF EMF effects on cell differentiation have been completed, in contrast to studies using cultured neurons (Buttiglione et al, 2007;Del Vecchio et al, 2009;Joubert et al, 2007Joubert et al, & 2008. Several studies of neuronal differentiation following RF EMF exposure are ongoing in Italy and Germany.…”

Mobile phone use, exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic field, and brain tumour: a case–control study

“…There is also little evidence for indirect DNA effects, including alterations in gene expression, cell proliferation, or apoptosis (Laszlo et al, 2005;Chauhan et al, 2006;Lixia et al, 2006;Qutob et al, 2006;Joubert et al, 2007). Thus, laboratory studies do not support the possibility that mobile phone use increases the risk of brain tumours.…”