Apoptosis-Promoting Effects on A375 Human Melanoma Cells Induced by Exposure to 35.2-GHz Millimeter Wave

Assessing the biological effects of microwave irradiation on human semen in vitro and determining the role of seminal plasma polyamines in this process

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of millimeter-wave electromagnetic (MW) irradiation on normal and pathological human sperm in vitro, and to evaluate a possible role of polyamines (PA) in this process. The stability of sperm membranes, the number of apoptotic gametes, and the content of seminal plasma PA in the ejaculates of fertile and subfertile men were compared before and after short-term MW electromagnetic exposure in vitro. The ejaculate samples were collected from healthy donors [n=25, age 22-38 years old (y.o.), average age 30.6±1.1 y.o. (mean ± SEM)] and from subfertile men (n=78, age 25-48 y.o., average age 34.1±0.8 y.o.) and exposed to MW radiation. The electromagnetic field had a wavelength of 7.1 mm, a frequency of 42.194 GHz and an exposure time of 20 min. The fragility of sperm membranes was evaluated by their resistance to sodium chloride solution (Milovanov test) and to acetic acid (Joel test). Acrosin activity was assayed spectrophotometrically. Apoptosis was determined by the externalization of phosphatidylserine on the outer side of the sperm membrane and propidium iodide staining. The PA levels were determined by agar gel electrophoretic fractionation. An increase in the resistance of sperm membranes, a decrease in acrosin activity, a decrease in the number of apoptotic gametes and a decrease in the seminal plasma PA concentrations were found after exposure of the native human sperm to low-intensity MW irradiation. Two types of reactions were revealed for the subfertile samples. The results revealed positive bio-effects of specific microwaves on the human semen and the participation of PA in the realization of these effects.

Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure and Apoptosis: A Scoping Review of In Vitro Studies on Mammalian Cells

In the last decades, experimental studies have been carried out to investigate the effects of radiofrequency (RF, 100 kHz–300 GHz) electromagnetic fields (EMF) exposure on the apoptotic process. As evidence-based critical evaluation of RF and apoptosis in vitro is lacking, we performed a scoping literature review with the aim of systematically mapping the research performed in this area and identifying gaps in knowledge. Eligible for inclusion were in vitro studies assessing apoptosis in mammalian cells exposed to RF-EMF, which met basic quality criteria (sham control, at least three independent experiments, appropriate dosimetry analysis and temperature monitoring). We conducted a systematic literature review and charted data in order to overview the main characteristics of included studies. From the 4362 papers retrieved with our search strategy, 121 were pertinent but, among them, only 42 met basic quality criteria. We pooled data with respect to exposure (frequency, exposure level and duration) and biological parameters (cell type, endpoint), and highlighted some qualitative trends with respect to the detection of significant effect of RF-EMF on the apoptotic process. We provided a qualitative picture of the evidence accumulated so far, and highlighted that the quality of experimental methodology still needs to be highly improved.