Oxidative and genotoxic effects of 900 MHz electromagnetic fields in the earthworm Eisenia fetida.

Abstract

Accumulating evidence suggests that exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) can have various biological effects. In this study the oxidative and genotoxic effects were investigated in earthworms Eisenia fetida exposed in vivo to RF-EMF at the mobile phone frequency (900 MHz). Earthworms were exposed to the homogeneous RF-EMF at field levels of 10, 23, 41 and 120 V m(-1) for a period of 2h using a Gigahertz Transversal Electromagnetic (GTEM) cell. At the field level of 23 V m(-1) the effect of longer exposure (4h) and field modulation (80% AM 1 kHz sinusoidal) was investigated as well. All exposure treatments induced significant genotoxic effect in earthworms coelomocytes detected by the Comet assay, demonstrating DNA damaging capacity of 900 MHz electromagnetic radiation. Field modulation additionally increased the genotoxic effect. Moreover, our results indicated the induction of antioxidant stress response in terms of enhanced catalase and glutathione reductase activity as a result of the RF-EMF exposure, and demonstrated the generation of lipid and protein oxidative damage. Antioxidant responses and the potential of RF-EMF to induce damage to lipids, proteins and DNA differed depending on the field level applied, modulation of the field and duration of E. fetida exposure to 900 MHz electromagnetic radiation. Nature of detected DNA lesions and oxidative stress as the mechanism of action for the induction of DNA damage are discussed.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Earthworms exposed in vivo to homogeneous 900 MHz RF-EMF at 10, 23, 41, and 120 V/m for 2 h showed significant genotoxic effects in coelomocytes measured by the Comet assay. At 23 V/m, longer exposure (4 h) and amplitude modulation (80% AM, 1 kHz sinusoidal) were also tested, and modulation additionally increased genotoxic effects; exposures were also associated with increased catalase and glutathione reductase activity and evidence of lipid and protein oxidative damage, with responses differing by field level, modulation, and duration.

Outcomes measured

• Genotoxicity (DNA damage; Comet assay in coelomocytes)
• Oxidative stress/antioxidant response (catalase activity, glutathione reductase activity)
• Lipid oxidative damage
• Protein oxidative damage

Limitations

• Sample size not reported in abstract
• Specific quantitative results and effect sizes not provided in abstract
• Animal/invertebrate model; relevance to humans not addressed in abstract
• Exposure characterized by field strength (V/m) without SAR reporting in abstract

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone",
        "frequency_mhz": 900,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "2 h; also 4 h at 23 V/m"
    },
    "population": "Earthworm (Eisenia fetida)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Genotoxicity (DNA damage; Comet assay in coelomocytes)",
        "Oxidative stress/antioxidant response (catalase activity, glutathione reductase activity)",
        "Lipid oxidative damage",
        "Protein oxidative damage"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Earthworms exposed in vivo to homogeneous 900 MHz RF-EMF at 10, 23, 41, and 120 V/m for 2 h showed significant genotoxic effects in coelomocytes measured by the Comet assay. At 23 V/m, longer exposure (4 h) and amplitude modulation (80% AM, 1 kHz sinusoidal) were also tested, and modulation additionally increased genotoxic effects; exposures were also associated with increased catalase and glutathione reductase activity and evidence of lipid and protein oxidative damage, with responses differing by field level, modulation, and duration.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in abstract",
        "Specific quantitative results and effect sizes not provided in abstract",
        "Animal/invertebrate model; relevance to humans not addressed in abstract",
        "Exposure characterized by field strength (V/m) without SAR reporting in abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "900 MHz",
        "RF-EMF",
        "earthworm",
        "Eisenia fetida",
        "GTEM cell",
        "Comet assay",
        "genotoxicity",
        "DNA damage",
        "oxidative stress",
        "catalase",
        "glutathione reductase",
        "lipid oxidation",
        "protein oxidation",
        "amplitude modulation"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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