Abstract
More studies that are focused on the bioeffects of radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation that is generated from the communication devices, but there were few reports with confirmed results about the bioeffects of RF radiation on reproductive cells. To explore the effects of 1950 MHz RF electromagnetic radiation (EMR) on mouse Leydig (TM3) cells. TM3 cells were irradiated or sham-irradiated continuously for 24 h by the specific absorption rate (SAR) 3 W/kg radiation. At 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 days after irradiation, cell proliferation was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method, cell cycle distribution, percentage of apoptosis, and cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were examined by flow cytometry, Testosterone level was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression level of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and P450scc in TM3 cells was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). After being irradiated for 24 h, cell proliferation obviously decreased and cell cycle distribution, secretion capacity of Testosterone, and P450scc mRNA level were reduced. While cell apoptosis, ROS, and StAR mRNA level did not change significantly. The current results indicated that 24 h of exposure at 1950 MHz 3 W/kg radiation could cause some adverse effects on TM3 cells proliferation and Testosterone secretion, further studies about the biological effects in the reproductive system that are induced by RF radiation are also needed.
Highlights
Radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation (EMR) is a non-ionizing radiation, with frequencies ranging from 10 MHz to 300 GHz that can have negative effects on human health [1,2]
Consistent with the results which we found testosterone contents decreasing, the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression level of these enzymes such as P450scc and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) was generally lower for exposed TM3 cells, differences between the exposed and sham-exposed group only exists significantly from day 2 to day 5 for P450scc, following exposure
The power level of EMR is associated with the occurrence of DNA double strand breaks and the induction of apoptosis-related genes. The discrepancies between this and our studies may be related to differences in RF radiation power and the sensitivity of different cell lines. We found that it elicited inhibition of the proliferation, changes in cell cycle distribution, and the dysfunction of testosterone secretion in TM3 cells after exposure to 24 h continuous
Summary
Radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation (EMR) is a non-ionizing radiation, with frequencies ranging from 10 MHz to 300 GHz that can have negative effects on human health [1,2]. Modern cellular phones typically operate at a frequency of 850 to 2100 MHz. While the biological effects of RF-EMR can be mediated through thermal and non-thermal mechanisms, it appears that the latter are more important in regards to cell phone usage [3]. While the biological effects of RF-EMR can be mediated through thermal and non-thermal mechanisms, it appears that the latter are more important in regards to cell phone usage [3] In this context, the specific absorption rate (SAR). Public Health 2018, 15, 17; doi:10.3390/ijerph15010017 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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