Reactive oxygen species levels and DNA fragmentation on astrocytes in primary culture after acute exposure to low intensity microwave electromagnetic field.

Abstract

The exposure of primary rat neocortical astroglial cell cultures to acute electromagnetic fields (EMF) in the microwave range was studied. Differentiated astroglial cell cultures at 14 days in vitro were exposed for 5, 10, or 20min to either 900MHz continuous waves or 900MHz waves modulated in amplitude at 50Hz using a sinusoidal waveform and 100% modulation index. The strength of the electric field (rms value) at the sample position was 10V/m. No change in cellular viability evaluated by MTT test and lactate dehydrogenase release was observed. A significant increase in ROS levels and DNA fragmentation was found only after exposure of the astrocytes to modulated EMF for 20min. No evident effects were detected when shorter time intervals or continuous waves were used. The irradiation conditions allowed the exclusion of any possible thermal effect. Our data demonstrate, for the first time, that even acute exposure to low intensity EMF induces ROS production and DNA fragmentation in astrocytes in primary cultures, which also represent the principal target of modulated EMF. Our findings also suggest the hypothesis that the effects could be due to hyperstimulation of the glutamate receptors, which play a crucial role in acute and chronic brain damage. Furthermore, the results show the importance of the amplitude modulation in the interaction between EMF and neocortical astrocytes.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Exposure to 900 MHz amplitude modulated EMF for 20 minutes significantly increased ROS levels and DNA fragmentation in astrocytes, with no change in cellular viability. No effects were observed with shorter exposures or continuous waves. Thermal effects were excluded.

Outcomes measured

• reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels
• DNA fragmentation
• cellular viability (MTT test and lactate dehydrogenase release)

Limitations

• in vitro study, limiting direct extrapolation to in vivo or human effects
• sample size not reported
• only acute exposure studied

Suggested hubs

• occupational-exposure (0.5)
  Study of microwave EMF effects relevant to occupational or environmental exposure scenarios.

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    "study_type": "in_vitro",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 900,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "5, 10, or 20 minutes"
    },
    "population": "primary rat neocortical astroglial cell cultures",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels",
        "DNA fragmentation",
        "cellular viability (MTT test and lactate dehydrogenase release)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Exposure to 900 MHz amplitude modulated EMF for 20 minutes significantly increased ROS levels and DNA fragmentation in astrocytes, with no change in cellular viability. No effects were observed with shorter exposures or continuous waves. Thermal effects were excluded.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "in vitro study, limiting direct extrapolation to in vivo or human effects",
        "sample size not reported",
        "only acute exposure studied"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.59999999999999997779553950749686919152736663818359375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "reactive oxygen species",
        "DNA fragmentation",
        "astrocytes",
        "microwave electromagnetic field",
        "amplitude modulation",
        "in vitro"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0.5,
            "reason": "Study of microwave EMF effects relevant to occupational or environmental exposure scenarios."
        }
    ]
}

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