The Effects of Mobile Phone Radiofrequency Radiation on Cochlear Stria Marginal Cells in Sprague-Dawley Rats

Bioelectromagnetics. 2020 Apr;41(3):219-229. doi: 10.1002/bem.22255. Epub 2020 Feb 18.

Abstract

To investigate the possible mechanisms for biological effects of 1,800 MHz mobile radiofrequency radiation (RFR), the radiation-specific absorption rate was applied at 2 and 4 W/kg, and the exposure mode was 5 min on and 10 min off (conversation mode). Exposure time was 24 h short-term exposure. Following exposure, to detect cell DNA damage, cell apoptosis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, the Comet assay test, flow cytometry, DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride) staining, and a fluorescent probe were used, respectively. Our experiments revealed that mobile phone RFR did not cause DNA damage in marginal cells, and the rate of cell apoptosis did not increase (P > 0.05). However, the production of ROS in the 4 W/kg exposure group was greater than that in the control group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, these results suggest that mobile phone energy was insufficient to cause cell DNA damage and cell apoptosis following short-term exposure, but the cumulative effect of mobile phone radiation still requires further confirmation. Activation of the ROS system plays a significant role in the biological effects of RFR. Bioelectromagnetics. © 2020 The Authors. Bioelectromagnetics published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Keywords: DNA damage; cell apoptosis; cochlear stria marginal cells; radiofrequency radiation; reactive oxygen species.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Phone*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • DNA Damage
  • Female
  • Male
  • Radio Waves / adverse effects*
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Stria Vascularis / cytology*
  • Stria Vascularis / pathology
  • Stria Vascularis / physiology

Substances

  • Reactive Oxygen Species