Effects of exposure to DAMPS and GSM signals on ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity: I. L-929 mouse fibroblasts.
OBJECTIVE
A temporary increase in ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity was reported in lysed L-929 fibroblasts after exposure to the microwaves emitted by Digital Advanced Mobile Phone System (DAMPS-835 MHz, 2.5 W/kg, 8 hours). Confirmation of these data was undertaken, given the suggested potential physiopathological consequences, i.e., tumour promotion.


METHODS
Murine L-929 fibroblasts were exposed at various Specific Absorption rates (SAR) to (DAMPS) or Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) signals using different set-ups. Cell ODC activities were assayed using 14CO2 generation from 14C-labeled L-ornithine.


RESULTS
ODC activity in live L-929 cells showed no significant alteration after exposure at an SAR of 2.5 W/kg, for one hour at the end of exposure to 50 Hz-modulated DAMPS-835 using Transverse Electro-Magnetic (TEM) cells. No significant alteration in ODC activity was observed at 6 W/kg, with active fans to regulate temperature (37 degrees C). Tests using cell lysed after exposure in another temperature-controlled set-up (waveguides) did not confirm the published studies reporting increased ODC activity in Radio-Frequency radiation (RFR)-exposed L-929 cells. In the second part of the study, no alteration of ODC activity was detected when L-929 cells were exposed to different RFR signals: 217 Hz modulated GSM-900 (wire-patch antenna) or GSM-1800 (waveguides), and lysed before ODC measurement.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that under our exposure conditions, DAMPS-835 and GSM signals have no influence on ODC activity in L-929 cells.
Billaudel
Bernard
B
University of Bordeaux 1, IMS-MCM, Pessac cedex, France. bernard.billaudel@ims-bordeaux.fr
Taxile
Murielle
M
Ruffie
Gilles
G
Veyret
Bernard
B
Lagroye
Isabelle
I
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D040421:Cell Phone; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D051379:Mice; D008872:Microwaves / Q000009:adverse effects; D009955:Ornithine Decarboxylase / Q000378:metabolism*
D009955:Ornithine Decarboxylase