Genetic effects in mammalian somatic cells exposed to radiofrequency radiation: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective To investigate the genetic effects of radio-frequency radiation (RF-radiation) on mammalian somatic cells. Methods A meta-analysis of reported data (1991-2009) was conducted to obtain a quantitative estimate of genotoxicity ( including single-and double-strand breaks in the DNA, incidence of chromosome aberration, micronuclei, and sister chromatid exchanges) in RF-radiationexposed cells compared with sham-exposed cells or unexposed control cells. Results After RF-radiation exposure, the weighted mean difference and its 95% confidence interval was 1.03(0. 74, 1.31 )for comet tail length in radiation group, and was 0. 10 (0. 04, 0. 16) for comet tail moment compared with control group. Relative risk and its 95% confidence interval for chromosome aberration was 1.21 (0. 68, 2. 13 )for lower than 2000 MHz RF-radiation exposure group, and 1.76( 1.05, 2.97 ) for more than 2000 MHz RF-radiation exposure group. The combined relative risk and its 95% confidence interval for micronuclei formation was 1.39(1.18-1.64). The combined WMD and its 95% confidence interval for sister chromatid exchanges in radiation group was 0. 40 ( - 0. 33,1.14 ) compared with control group. Conclusions On certain RF radiation exposure conditions, it can increase in the DNA damages and micronuclei formation.There might be an increase of chromosomal aberration occurrence for RF-radiation exposure above 2000 MHz, while no significant differences for those lower than 2000 MHz RF-radiation exposure. For the incidence of sister chromatid exchanges in mammalian somatic cells, RF-radiation exposure had no significant influence. Key words: Radio-frequency radiation; Mammal; Somatic cells; Genetic damage; Meta-analysis