Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure and Apoptosis: A Scoping Review of In Vitro Studies on Mammalian Cells

Abstract

In the last decades, experimental studies have been carried out to investigate the effects of radiofrequency (RF, 100 kHz–300 GHz) electromagnetic fields (EMF) exposure on the apoptotic process. As evidence-based critical evaluation of RF and apoptosis in vitro is lacking, we performed a scoping literature review with the aim of systematically mapping the research performed in this area and identifying gaps in knowledge. Eligible for inclusion were in vitro studies assessing apoptosis in mammalian cells exposed to RF-EMF, which met basic quality criteria (sham control, at least three independent experiments, appropriate dosimetry analysis and temperature monitoring). We conducted a systematic literature review and charted data in order to overview the main characteristics of included studies. From the 4362 papers retrieved with our search strategy, 121 were pertinent but, among them, only 42 met basic quality criteria. We pooled data with respect to exposure (frequency, exposure level and duration) and biological parameters (cell type, endpoint), and highlighted some qualitative trends with respect to the detection of significant effect of RF-EMF on the apoptotic process. We provided a qualitative picture of the evidence accumulated so far, and highlighted that the quality of experimental methodology still needs to be highly improved.

Studying the genotoxic effects of high intensity terahertz radiation on fibroblasts and CNS tumor cells

“…Cells of the central nervous system (CNS) were shown to be sensitive to electromagnetic radiation [56,57]. Changes in membrane potential in neurons as well as induction of apoptosis in glial cells upon their exposure to THz radiation were earlier reported (see the reviews [8,12]).…”

Cardiac Cell Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields: Focus on Oxdative Stress and Apoptosis

“…In this study, we examined the short-term exposure to 915 MHz EMFs on myocardial antioxidant capacity and apoptotic cell death in vitro and in vivo. Since morphological and biochemical analyses are the most applied methods to detect apoptotic cell death after EMF exposure [20], here, we examined the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of key apoptosis-related genes Bcl2, Bax, caspase-3, and caspase-8 [21]. Among endogenous defense mechanisms responsible for the EMF-induced effects, catalase and SOD are crucial antioxidative enzymes that have been implicated in human diseases [22].…”

Sensitivity of Neuroblastoma and Induced Neural Progenitor Cells to High-Intensity THz Radiation

“…A number of studies demonstrate that the nervous system is sensitive to non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation [ 14 , 15 , 16 ]. However, only a few studies deal with the effects of THz radiation on the nervous system cells.…”