Mutagenic and morphologic impacts of 1.8 GHz radiofrequency radiation on human peripheral blood lymphocytes (hPBLs) and possible protective role of pre-treatment with Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761)

EŞMEKAYA M. A. , Aytekin E., ÖZGÜR BÜYÜKATALAY E. , GÜLER ÖZTÜRK G. , ERGÜN M. A. , ÖMEROĞLU S. , ...More

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT, vol.410, pp.59-64, 2011 (Journal Indexed in SCI) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 410
  • Publication Date: 2011
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.09.036
  • Title of Journal : SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
  • Page Numbers: pp.59-64
  • Keywords: Radiofrequency radiation, Sister chromatid exchange, Electron microscopy, Cell viability, Mutagenicity, SISTER-CHROMATID EXCHANGE, ENVIRONMENTAL NONIONIZING RADIATION, FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC-FIELDS, MOBILE PHONE RADIATION, GENE-EXPRESSION, CELL-PROLIFERATION, OXIDATIVE STRESS, DNA BREAKS, RAT-BRAIN, MICROWAVES

Abstract

The mutagenic and morphologic effects of 1.8 GHz Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) modulated RF (radiofrequency) radiation alone and in combination with Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761) pre-treatment in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (hPBLs) were investigated in this study using Sister Chromatid Exchange (SCE) and electron microscopy. Cell viability was assessed with 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay. The lymphocyte cultures were exposed to GSM modulated RF radiation at 1.8 GHz for 6,8, 24 and 48 h with and without EGb 761. We observed morphological changes in pulse-modulated RF radiated lymphocytes. Longer exposure periods led to destruction of organelle and nucleus structures. Chromatin change and the loss of mitochondrial crista occurred in cells exposed to RF for 8 h and 24 h and were more pronounced in cells exposed for 48 h. Cytoplasmic lysis and destruction of membrane integrity of cells and nuclei were also seen in 48 h RF exposed cells. There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in SCE frequency in RF exposed lymphocytes compared to sham controls. EGb 761 pre-treatment significantly decreased SCE from RF radiation. RF radiation also inhibited cell viability in a time dependent manner. The inhibitory effects of RF radiation on the growth of lymphoctes were marked in longer exposure periods. EGb 761 pre-treatment significantly increased cell viability in RF + EGb 761 treated groups at 8 and 24 h when compared to RF exposed groups alone. The results of our study showed that RF radiation affects cell morphology, increases SCE and inhibits cell proliferation. However, EGb 761 has a protective role against RF induced mutagenity. We concluded that RF radiation induces chromosomal damage in hPBLs but this damage may be reduced by EGb 761 pre-treatment (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.