Medical/biological Study (experimental study)

Spindle disturbances in human-hamster hybrid (A(L)) cells induced by the electrical component of the mobile communication frequency range signal. med./biol.

PubMed Entry

Journal web site

Aim of study (according to author)
To study whether either the electrical (E field) and/or the magnetic field (H field) component of an electromagnetic field at 900 MHz can be associated with the effectiveness of the spindle-disturbing potential (as shown in a previous study, see Schrader et al. 2008).
Background/further details:
Three experiments were performed: Two experiments were performed at room temperature (20-22°C) and a third experiment at 37°C.

Endpoint

• genotoxicity/mutation: spindle disturbance

Exposure
General category: mobile communication system, mobile phone, GSM, radio frequency field, electric field, magnetic field

Field characteristics	Parameters
900 MHz exposure duration: continuous for 0.5 h	power: 200 mW effective value SAR: 10.7 mW/kg min value (calculated 0.1 mm above and in the center of the slide) SAR: 17.2 mW/kg max value (calculated 0.1 mm above and in the center of the slide)

Exposed system:
intact cell/cell culture (in vitro)
FC2 cells (human-hamster hybrid (AL)) cells

Methods
Endpoint/Measurement parameters/Methodology

• genotoxicity/mutation: spindle disturbance at metaphases or at anaphases and telophases (aceto-orcein stain)
• cell viability/cell division/proliferation: cell proliferation (mitotic index)

Main outcome of study (according to author)
The data showed that only cells exposed to the magnetic field component of the electromagnetic field were not different from the control. The results have confirmed the spindle-acting potential of a radiofrequency exposure at 835 MHz in human-hamster hybrid cells, which was reported for a 0.5 h exposure at field strengths from 45 to 90 V/m (see Schrader et al. 2008 and Schmid and Schrader 2007). Moreover, both the earlier and present data sets have shown that the fractions of anaphases and telophases with spindle disturbances are twice as high at 90 V/m than at 45 V/m. The findings were independent of the exposure temperatures at room temperature or 37°C.
The data indicate that an exposure of cells to an electromagnetic field at electric field strengths of 45 and 90 V/m, as well as to the separated E component of the electromagnetic field, induce significant spindle disturbances in anaphases and telophases of the cell cycle.

(Study character: medical/biological study, experimental study, full/main study)

Study funded by

• not stated/none

• Hintzsche H et al. (2012): 900 MHz radiation does not induce micronucleus formation in different cell...
• Ballardin M et al. (2011): Non-thermal effects of 2.45GHz microwaves on spindle assembly, mitotic cells...
• Hintzsche H et al. (2011): Terahertz radiation induces spindle disturbances in human-hamster hybrid cells.
• Tkalec M et al. (2009): Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on seed germination and root...
• Schrader T et al. (2008): Spindle disturbances in human-hamster hybrid (AL) cells induced by mobile...
• Schmid E et al. (2007): Different biological effectiveness of ionising and non-ionising radiations in...