title: Effects of RF-EMF Exposure from GSM Mobile Phones on Proliferation Rate of Human Adipose-derived Stem Cells: An In-vitro Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As the use of mobile phones is increasing, public concern about the harmful effects of radiation emitted by these devices is also growing. In addition, protection questions and biological effects are among growing concerns which have remained largely unanswered. Stem cells are useful models to assess the effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on other cell lines. Stem cells are undifferentiated biological cells that can differentiate into specialized cells. Adipose tissue represents an abundant and accessible source of adult stem cells. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of GSM 900 MHz on growth and proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue within the specific distance and intensity.
  
  
  METHODS
  ADSCs were exposed to GSM mobile phones 900 MHz with intensity of 354.6 µW/cm2square waves (217 Hz pulse frequency, 50% duty cycle), during different exposure times ranging from 6 to 21 min/day for 5 days at 20 cm distance from the antenna. MTT assay was used to determine the growth and metabolism of cells and trypan blue test was also done for cell viability. Statistical analyses were carried out using analysis of one way ANOVA. P<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The proliferation rates of human ADSCs in all exposure groups were significantly lower than control groups (P<0.05) except in the group of 6 minutes/day which did not show any significant difference with control groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results show that 900 MHz RF signal radiation from antenna can reduce cell viability and proliferation rates of human ADSCs regarding the duration of exposure.
authors.affiliation: Professor of Medical Physics, Dept. of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shahbazi-Gahrouei
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hashemi-Beni
authors.affiliation: MSc of Medical Physics, Dept. of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ahmadi
keywords:  Global System of Mobile Communications ;  Proliferation Rate;  RF-EMF ; Adipose derived Stem Cells 