Effect of Microwave Radiations on Cell Proliferation

Authors

Abstract

Increased uses of microwave radiation in communication systems like mobile phones, radars and
satellites, have pushed us to do some experimental studies on the biological effects of such
radiations. Experiments were performed on cell line of Vero (African green monkey kidney cell),
which were exposed to constant power electromagnetic fields with a frequency of about 9 GHz in
rest (G1) and growth situations. The cells are exposed to varying field strengths at different
times.The cytopathic effects (CPE) and cell proliferation before and after exposure are monitored.
Experiments reveals that electromagnetic fields did not affect on cells in rest situation, but arrest the
cell cycle transiently in proliferating ones. At prolonged exposure time, damaged cells were not
repaired or were destroyed, so more faulty cells were produced. As some molecules like P53,
cyclin-D1, PCNA and HSP (Heat shock proteins), probable mechanisms of growth stoppage are
discussed.

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