Effects of 2.1 GHz frequency microwave radiation on breast fibroblast cells

In the present study we aimed to investigate the effects of 2.1 GHz Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) modulated Microwave (MW) Radiation on cell survival and apoptotic activity of breast fibroblast cells. The cell cultures were exposed to W-CDMA modulated MW at 2.1 GHz for 4 and 24 hours. The cell viability was assessed by MTT [3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol?2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] method. The percentages of apoptotic cells were analyzed by Annexin V-FITC and PI staining. Annexin V exhibits anti-phospholipase activity and binds to phosphatidylserine (PS). 5,5?,6,6?-tetrachloro-1,1?,3,3?- tetraethylbenzimidazolcarbocyanine iodide (JC?1) was used to measure Mitochondrial Membrane Potential (??m). JC?1 is a fluorescent cationic dye that can selectively accumulates into mitochondria by electrochemical gradient and changes color from green to red as the mitochondrial membrane is depolarized. Fas and FasL protein levels were determined by ELISA method. 2.1 MW radiation has been shown to be able to induce cell proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction in breast fibroblast cells. The viability of fibroblast cells were decreased due to MW radiation exposure. The apoptotic activities of cells were increased in all exposure periods. We also demonstrated a time dependent reduction of ??m. Fas, FasL and p53 levels were not significantly changed in MW exposed fibroblast cells. However, cytochrome-c levels were increased significantly. The results of this study showed that 2.1 GHz W-CDMA modulated MW radiation induced apoptotic cell death via mitochondrial way.