Mobile phone radiation disturbs cytokinesis and causes cell death in buccal cells: Results of controlled

Abstract

Mobile phone radiation disturbs cytokinesis and causes cell death in buccal cells: Results of controlled human intervention study Kundi M, Nersesyan A, Schmid G, Hutter HP, Eibensteiner F, Mišík M, Knasmüller S. Mobile phone specific radiation disturbs cytokinesis and causes cell death but not acute chromosomal damage in buccal cells: Results of a controlled human intervention study. Environ Res. 2024 Mar 5:118634. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118634. Abstract Several human studies indicate that mobile phone specific electromagnetic fields may cause cancer in humans but the underlying molecular mechanisms are currently not known. Studies concerning chromosomal damage (which is causally related to cancer induction) are controversial and are based on the use of questionnaires to assess the exposure. We realized the first human intervention trial in which chromosomal damage and acute toxic effects were studied under controlled conditions. The participants were exposed via headsets at one randomly assigned side of the head to low and high doses of a UMTS signal (n = 20, to 0.1 W/kg and n = 21 to 1.6 W/kg Specific Absorption Rate) for 2h on 5 consecutive days. Before and three weeks after the exposure buccal cells were collected from both cheeks and micronuclei (MN, which are formed as a consequence of structural and numerical chromosomal aberrations) and other nuclear anomalies reflecting mitotic disturbance and acute cytotoxic effects were scored. We found no evidence for induction of MN and of nuclear buds which are caused by gene amplifications, but a significant increase of binucleated cells which are formed as a consequence of disturbed cell divisions, and of karyolitic cells, which are indicative for cell death. No such effects were seen in cells from the less exposed side. Our findings indicate that mobile phone specific high frequency electromagnetic fields do not cause acute chromosomal damage in oral mucosa cells under the present experimental conditions. However, we found clear evidence for disturbance of the cell cycle and cytotoxicity. These effects may play a causal role in the induction of adverse long term health effects in humans. Final paragraph of paper: As mentioned in the introduction, evidence is accumulating that exposure to HF-EMF is associated with specific brain tumors (Brabant et al., 2023; Carlberg et al., 2017; Coureau et al., 2014; Hardell and Carlberg, 2015; Hardell et al., 2013; IARC, 2013; INTERPHONE Study Group, 2010). The results of the present investigation indicate that molecular mechanisms other than chromosomal damage may cause neoplastic transformation of the cells as a consequence of exposure to mobile phone specific HF-EMF. As described in the result section, we found in the present study clear evidence for induction of acute toxicity and disturbance of the cell cycle (cytokinesis) as a consequence of exposure to a high radiation dose (1.6 W/kg). It is possible that these effects cause inflammatory responses and/or release of ROS, which were seen in a number of laboratory studies (e.g. Alipour et al., 2022; Benavides et al., 2023; IARC, 2013; Yakymenko et al., 2016). These processes may possibly lead to formation of neoplastic cells. Open access paper: sciencedirect.com

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Participants were exposed on one randomly assigned side of the head to UMTS at 0.1 W/kg (n=20) or 1.6 W/kg (n=21) for 2 h on 5 consecutive days. No evidence was found for induction of micronuclei or nuclear buds, but binucleated cells and karyolitic cells increased on the exposed side; no such effects were seen on the less exposed side.

Outcomes measured

• Micronuclei (MN) in buccal cells
• Nuclear buds
• Binucleated cells (cytokinesis disturbance)
• Karyolitic cells (cell death/cytotoxicity)
• Other nuclear anomalies reflecting mitotic disturbance and acute cytotoxic effects

Limitations

• Frequency of the UMTS signal not reported in the provided abstract/metadata
• Only buccal cells/oral mucosa endpoints assessed; no other tissues reported
• Follow-up limited to three weeks after exposure (as described)
• Exposure described as low vs high dose groups; details of randomization/blinding not provided in the provided text

Suggested hubs

• mobile-phones (0.95)
  Controlled human intervention study using mobile phone-specific UMTS exposure via headsets.

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    "study_type": "randomized_trial",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone (UMTS signal via headsets)",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "2 h/day for 5 consecutive days; outcomes assessed before and 3 weeks after exposure"
    },
    "population": "Human participants (buccal/oral mucosa cells sampled from both cheeks)",
    "sample_size": 41,
    "outcomes": [
        "Micronuclei (MN) in buccal cells",
        "Nuclear buds",
        "Binucleated cells (cytokinesis disturbance)",
        "Karyolitic cells (cell death/cytotoxicity)",
        "Other nuclear anomalies reflecting mitotic disturbance and acute cytotoxic effects"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Participants were exposed on one randomly assigned side of the head to UMTS at 0.1 W/kg (n=20) or 1.6 W/kg (n=21) for 2 h on 5 consecutive days. No evidence was found for induction of micronuclei or nuclear buds, but binucleated cells and karyolitic cells increased on the exposed side; no such effects were seen on the less exposed side.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Frequency of the UMTS signal not reported in the provided abstract/metadata",
        "Only buccal cells/oral mucosa endpoints assessed; no other tissues reported",
        "Follow-up limited to three weeks after exposure (as described)",
        "Exposure described as low vs high dose groups; details of randomization/blinding not provided in the provided text"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "moderate",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "UMTS",
        "mobile phone radiation",
        "HF-EMF",
        "RF exposure",
        "human intervention study",
        "buccal cells",
        "micronuclei",
        "cytokinesis",
        "binucleated cells",
        "karyolysis",
        "cytotoxicity"
    ],
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