Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Structural and kinetic effects of mobile phone microwaves on acetylcholinesterase activity med./bio.

Published in: Biophys Chem 2005; 113 (3): 245-253

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To determine the influence of nonthermal exposure to dual band mobile phone irradiation on the structure and function of electric eel acetylcholinesterase (an important CNS enzyme).

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 915–1,822 MHz
Modulation type: pulsed
Exposure duration: continuous from 1 to 50 min

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 915–1,822 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous from 1 to 50 min
Modulation
Modulation type pulsed
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 50 mm
Setup Aliquots of enzyme solution of identical volumes were placed into glass test tubes. One tube was wrapped in a single thin aluminium foil to screen RF radiation.
Additional info All experiments were carried out with the phone operating in receive mode being called from a remote phone. When the phone received a call, the emitted field intensity increased in the first 10 s to a maximum of 12 V/m before decreasing to a lower "standby asymptotic" value of 1 V/m. To change the exposition time from 1 to 50 min, the samples were gradually exposed to cycles of 60 sec each.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 12 V/m maximum measured - decreasing from 12 to 1 V/m every min
SAR 0.51 W/kg unspecified measured unspecified -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • before exposure
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The data provided evidence that in vitro simple exposure of an aqueous solution of electric eel acetylcholinesterase to cellular phone emission resulted in an irreversible monomerization of the protein accompanied by a significant change in the enzyme activity.
It is found that radiofrequency irradiation irreversibly affect the structural and biochemical characteristics of the enzyme. SR-SAXS (Synchroton radiation small-angle X-ray scattering) measurements provided data on the association of newly formed monomers into a soluble hydrogel. Jellification was confirmed by the variation of H1NMR relaxation times values. Further evidences of this process were revealed by ESEM (Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy) observations.
Although these data cannot be used to conclude whether exposure to radiofrequency during the use of cellular phone can lead to any hazardous health effect, they may be a significant first step towards further verification of these effects on other ex vivo or in vivo biological systems.

Study character:

Study funded by

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