title: 1800 MHz electromagnetic field effects on melatonin release from isolated pineal glands.
abstract: 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 degrees 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.
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering and Science, International University Bremen, Bremen, Germany.
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sukhotina
authors.forename: Joachim R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Streckert
authors.forename: Andreas K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Bitz
authors.forename: Volkert W
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lerchl
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008550:Melatonin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D017111:Phodopus; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D008550:Melatonin