Evaluation of Micronuclei in Buccal Smears of Mobile Phone Users: A Comparative Study
Abstract
Evaluation of Micronuclei in Buccal Smears of Mobile Phone Users: A Comparative Study Sangle V, Male VP, Sanap S, Maniyar A, Ugale G, Gundre D. Evaluation of Micronuclei in Buccal Smears of Mobile Phone Users: A Comparative Study. Journal of the International Clinical Dental Research Organization 15(2):p 112-118, Jul–Dec 2023. doi: 10.4103/jicdro.jicdro_40_23 Abstract Background: The mobile uses have been increased drastically, creating increased health concern about radiation effects emitted from mobile phone. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the micronuclei (MN) frequency in exfoliated oral mucosal cells in high and low mobile users. Materials and Methods: The total of 50 subjects was divided into two major groups: low mobile phone users and high mobile phone users. Further, subjects who use mobile phone for more than 10 h a week were considered high talk time users and <4–5 h a week was low talk time users. The buccal mucosa cells are extracted by scraping the oral cavity with a wooden spatula. MN was evaluated in 1000 cells per individual at the microscope. Results: There was a significant increase in MN count in high mobile users compared to low mobile users. There was a highly significant difference in the mean MN count of participants using code division multiple access than global system for mobiles mobile phones. The MN mean count was found to be significantly increased in non- headphone users in comparison to headphone users. Furthermore, the MN count on the frequently used side of mobile phone was found to be statistically significantly elevated compared to the opposite side. Conclusions: Mobile phone radiation, even in the permissible range when used for a longer duration, can cause significant genotoxicity. The genotoxicity is noted when the mobile phone is used more frequently on the same side, which may be due to more amount of radiation and increase in the temperature. Headphone usage reduces the genotoxicity of mobile phone radiation to some extent. Open access paper: journals.lww.com
AI evidence extraction
Main findings
In 50 participants, the study reports a statistically significant increase in micronuclei (MN) counts in high mobile phone users compared with low users. Higher MN counts were also reported among non-headphone users versus headphone users, on the frequently used side of the phone versus the opposite side, and among participants using CDMA phones versus GSM phones.
Outcomes measured
- Micronuclei (MN) frequency/count in exfoliated buccal mucosal cells (genotoxicity marker)
Limitations
- Cross-sectional comparative design limits causal inference.
- Exposure characterization is based on self-reported talk time categories; no direct RF exposure/SAR measurements reported in the abstract.
- Small sample size (n=50).
- Potential confounding factors (e.g., age, tobacco/alcohol use, oral health status, occupational exposures) are not described in the abstract.
- Outcome assessment details beyond counting MN in 1000 cells per individual (e.g., blinding, scoring reliability) are not provided in the abstract.
Suggested hubs
-
cell-phones
(0.95) Study evaluates genotoxicity marker (micronuclei) in relation to mobile phone use patterns.
View raw extracted JSON
{
"publication_year": 2023,
"study_type": "cross_sectional",
"exposure": {
"band": "RF",
"source": "mobile phone",
"frequency_mhz": null,
"sar_wkg": null,
"duration": ">10 h/week (high) vs <4–5 h/week (low) talk time"
},
"population": "Mobile phone users (low vs high use)",
"sample_size": 50,
"outcomes": [
"Micronuclei (MN) frequency/count in exfoliated buccal mucosal cells (genotoxicity marker)"
],
"main_findings": "In 50 participants, the study reports a statistically significant increase in micronuclei (MN) counts in high mobile phone users compared with low users. Higher MN counts were also reported among non-headphone users versus headphone users, on the frequently used side of the phone versus the opposite side, and among participants using CDMA phones versus GSM phones.",
"effect_direction": "harm",
"limitations": [
"Cross-sectional comparative design limits causal inference.",
"Exposure characterization is based on self-reported talk time categories; no direct RF exposure/SAR measurements reported in the abstract.",
"Small sample size (n=50).",
"Potential confounding factors (e.g., age, tobacco/alcohol use, oral health status, occupational exposures) are not described in the abstract.",
"Outcome assessment details beyond counting MN in 1000 cells per individual (e.g., blinding, scoring reliability) are not provided in the abstract."
],
"evidence_strength": "low",
"confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
"peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
"stance": "concern",
"stance_confidence": 0.85999999999999998667732370449812151491641998291015625,
"summary": "This cross-sectional comparative study assessed micronuclei (MN) frequency in buccal smears from 50 participants categorized as high versus low mobile phone users. The authors report significantly higher MN counts in high users, with additional differences by phone technology (CDMA vs GSM), headphone use, and the side of phone use. The paper concludes that longer-duration mobile phone use within permissible ranges may be associated with genotoxicity, and that headphone use may reduce it.",
"key_points": [
"Fifty subjects were divided into low and high mobile phone use groups based on weekly talk time.",
"Micronuclei were scored in 1000 buccal mucosal cells per individual using microscopy.",
"High mobile phone users had significantly higher MN counts than low users.",
"Participants using CDMA phones had higher mean MN counts than those using GSM phones.",
"Non-headphone users showed higher MN counts than headphone users.",
"The frequently used side of the mouth showed higher MN counts than the opposite side."
],
"categories": [
"Mobile Phones",
"Radiofrequency (RF)",
"Genotoxicity",
"Biomarkers"
],
"tags": [
"Buccal Smear",
"Micronuclei",
"Genotoxicity",
"Mobile Phone Use",
"Talk Time",
"Headphone Use",
"CDMA",
"GSM",
"Laterality",
"Oral Mucosa"
],
"keywords": [
"micronuclei",
"buccal mucosa",
"mobile phone radiation",
"genotoxicity",
"talk time",
"headphones",
"CDMA",
"GSM"
],
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"reason": "Study evaluates genotoxicity marker (micronuclei) in relation to mobile phone use patterns."
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"social": {
"tweet": "Cross-sectional study (n=50) reports higher micronuclei counts in buccal cells of high vs low mobile phone users, with differences by CDMA vs GSM, headphone use, and the frequently used side. doi:10.4103/jicdro.jicdro_40_23",
"facebook": "A 2023 comparative study of 50 mobile phone users found higher micronuclei counts (a genotoxicity marker) in high vs low users, and reported differences by phone technology, headphone use, and the side most often used. doi:10.4103/jicdro.jicdro_40_23",
"linkedin": "A 2023 cross-sectional comparative study (n=50) evaluated micronuclei in buccal smears and reported higher counts among high mobile phone users, with additional associations involving CDMA vs GSM, headphone use, and laterality of phone use. doi:10.4103/jicdro.jicdro_40_23"
}
}
AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.
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