Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effect of 3G Cell Phone Exposure with Computer Controlled 2-D Stepper Motor on Non-thermal Activation of the hsp27/p38MAPK Stress Pathway in Rat Brain med./bio.

Published in: Cell Biochem Biophys 2014; 68 (2): 347-358

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To examine the effect of exposure to a radiofrequency electromagnetic field emitted by a 3G mobile phone on the brain of young rats (45 days old).

Background/further details

Three groups of rats were examined (n=6 per group): 1.) cage control, 2.) sham exposure and 3.) exposure group. The experiments were repeated thrice.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 2,115 MHz
Exposure duration: continuous for 2 hours/day for 60 days
  • SAR: 0.9 W/kg mean (according to manufacturer's instruction)
  • SAR: 0.26 W/kg

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 2,115 MHz
Type
Exposure duration continuous for 2 hours/day for 60 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Chamber each rat was kept seperately in a plexiglas box (215 x 65 x 25 mm) with holes for ventilation
Setup active mobile phone was placed on the top of the exposure box and connected with a stepper motor control system; to simulate the non-stationary use of a mobile phone during a call, the mobile phone moved in a way that the angle between mobile phone and horizontal plane changed from 0° to 30° (2° per minute)
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 0.9 W/kg mean - - according to manufacturer's instruction
SAR 0.26 W/kg - measured and calculated - -

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

In the exposed group, the level of reactive oxygen species, DNA damage, protein expression of all examined proteins and the apoptosis rate were significantly increased compared to the sham exposure group. No significant changes occurred between the sham exposure group and the cage control.
The authors conclude that exposure to a radiofrequency electromagnetic field emitted by a 3G mobile phone could have a deleterious effect on the brain of young rats.

Study character:

Study funded by

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