In vitro testing of cellular response to ultra high frequency electromagnetic field radiation

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether low-level, ultra high frequency (UHF) irradiation of 935 MHz influences the cell structure and growth of V79 cells. UHF field was generated inside a Gigahertz Transversal Electromagnetic Mode cell (GTEM-cell) with a Hewlett-Packard signal generator. The electric field strength was 8.2+/-0.3 V/cm and the average specific absorption rate (SAR) was calculated to be 0.12 W/kg. Cell samples were cultivated in a humidified atmosphere at 37 degrees C with 5% CO2. Prepared cell samples were exposed to a 935 MHz continuous wave frequency field for 1, 2, and 3 h. The structure of microtubule proteins has been determined using the immunocytochemical method. Cell growth was determined by cell counts for each hour of exposure during five post-exposure days. Negative- and positive-cell controls were included into the experimental procedure. In comparison with control cells, the microtubule structure clearly altered after 3h of irradiation (p<0.05). Significantly decreased growth was noted in cells exposed for 3h three days after irradiation (p<0.05). It seems that the 935 MHz, low-level UHF radiation affects microtubule proteins, which consequently may obstruct cell growth.