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1800 MHz electromagnetic field effects on melatonin release from isolated pineal glands
Author(s) -
Sukhotina Irina,
Streckert Joachim R.,
Bitz Andreas K.,
Hansen Volkert W.,
Lerchl Alexander
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of pineal research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.881
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1600-079X
pISSN - 0742-3098
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-079x.2005.00284.x
Subject(s) - melatonin , endocrinology , pineal gland , medicine , agonist , specific absorption rate , chemistry , receptor , biology , telecommunications , computer science , antenna (radio)
Isolated pineal glands of Djungarian hamsters ( Phodopus sungorus ) were continuously perifused by Krebs–Ringer buffer, stimulated with the beta‐adrenergic receptor agonist isoproterenol to induce melatonin synthesis, and exposed for 7 hr to a 1800 MHz continuous wave (CW) or pulsed GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications)‐modulated electromagnetic signal at specific absorption rate (SAR) rates of 8, 80, 800, and 2700 mW/kg. Experiments were performed in a blind fashion. Perifusate samples were collected every hour, and melatonin concentrations were measured by a specific radioimmunoassay. Both types of signal significantly enhanced melatonin release at 800 mW/kg SAR, while at 2700 mW/kg SAR, melatonin levels were elevated in the CW, but suppressed in the GSM‐exposed pineal glands. As a temperature rise of approximately 1.2°C was measured at 2700 mW/kg SAR, effects at this level are thermal. With regard to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, the data do not support the ‘melatonin hypothesis,’ according to which nonthermal exposure suppresses melatonin synthesis.