GSM-EDGE modulated mobile phone radiation alters the cell proliferation of hepatocellular hepatocarcinoma carcinoma cells

It is not just scientists but also the public at large who are concerned about the increasing use of mobile phones. This study aims to investigate the possible adverse effects of intermittent (15 min RF on, 15 min RF off) exposure to Enhanced Data rates for Global System for Mobile Communication Evolution (GSM-EDGE) modulated Radiofrequency Radiation (RFR) in 900 MHz and 1800 MHz frequencies (10 V/m, far field) during four different periods as 1 hour, 2, 3 and 4 hours on the viability of the Hepatocarcinoma cells (Hep G2). Hep G2 cell proliferation was measured by a spectrophotometric assay based on the cleavage of the tetrazolium salt WST-1 by mitochondrial dehydrogenases in viable cells. Cell injury was evaluated by analyzing the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and glucose released from lysed cells into the bathing medium. Morphological observation was carried out by 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining using the fluorescence microscopy at 400x magnification. Results showed that the cell viability, correlated with the LDH and glucose levels changed according to the frequency and the duration of RFR exposure. Four-hour-exposure was more effective than the other exposure durations, besides, 1800 MHz RFR had more impact on the cell viability and the injury of Hep G2 than RFR in the frequency of 900 MHz. Morphological observation confirmed these results that most of the cells showed irregular nuclei pattern as a marker of late stage apoptosis via DAPI staining method especially in the 4-hour-exposure of 1800 MHz RFR. Further studies will involve other frequency bands of RFR and longer duration of exposure.