Paolo Galloni

Effects of In Vivo Exposure to GSM-Modulated 900 MHz Radiation on Mouse Peripheral Lymphocytes

Abstract Gatta, L., Pinto, R., Ubaldi, V., Pace, L., Galloni, P., Lovisolo, G. A., Marino, C. and Pioli, C. Effects of In Vivo Exposure to GSM-Modulated 900 MHz Radiation on Mouse Peripheral Lymphocytes. Radiat. Res. 160, 600–605 (2003). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether daily whole-body exposure to 900 MHz GSM-modulated radiation could affect spleen lymphocytes. C57BL/6 mice were exposed 2 h/day for 1, 2 or 4 weeks in a TEM cell to an SAR of 1 or 2 W/kg. Untreated and sham-exposed groups were also examined. At the end of the exposure, mice were killed humanely and spleen cells were collected. The number of spleen cells, the percentages of B and T cells, and the distribution of T-cell subpopulations (CD4 and CD8) were not altered by the exposure. T and B cells were also stimulated ex vivo using specific monoclonal antibodies or LPS to induce cell proliferation, cytokine production and expression of activation markers. The results did not show relevant differences in either T or B lymphocytes from mice exposed to an SAR of 1 or 2 W/kg and sham-exposed mice with few exceptions. After 1 week of exposure to 1 or 2 W/kg, an increase in IFN-γ (Ifng) production was observed that was not evident when the exposure was prolonged to 2 or 4 weeks. This suggests that the immune system might have adapted to RF radiation as it does with other stressing agents. All together, our in vivo data indicate that the T- and B-cell compartments were not substantially affected by exposure to RF radiation and that a clinically relevant effect of RF radiation on the immune system is unlikely to occur.

Electromagnetic Fields from Mobile Phones do not Affect the Inner Auditory System of Sprague-Dawley Rats

Abstract Galloni, P., Parazzini, M., Piscitelli, M., Pinto, R., Lovisolo, G. A., Tognola, G., Marino, C. and Ravazzani, P. Electromagnetic Fields from Mobile Phones do not Affect the Inner Auditory System of Sprague-Dawley Rats. Radiat. Res. 164, 798–804 (2005). The auditory system is the first biological structure facing the electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cochlear functionality of Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to electromagnetic fields at the typical frequencies of GSM mobile phones (900 and 1800 MHz) by distortion product otoacoustic emissions, which are a well-known indicator of the status of the cochleas outer hair cells. A population of 48 rats was divided into exposed and sham-exposed groups. Three sets of four loop antennas, one for sham-exposed animals and two for exposed animals, were used for the local exposures. Rats were exposed 2 h/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks at a local SAR of 2 W/kg in the ear. Distortion product otoacoustic emissions tests were carried out before, during and after the exposure. The analysis of the data shows no statistically significant differences between the audiological signals recorded for the different groups.

DOSIMETRY OF A SET-UP FOR THE EXPOSURE OF NEWBORN MICE TO 2.45-GHZ WIFI FREQUENCIES

This work describes the dosimetry of a two waveguide cell system designed to expose newborn mice to electromagnetic fields associated with wireless fidelity signals in the frequency band of 2.45 GHz. The dosimetric characterisation of the exposure system was performed both numerically and experimentally. Specific measures were adopted with regard to the increase in both weight and size of the biological target during the exposure period. The specific absorption rate (SAR, W kg(-1)) for 1 W of input power vs. weight curve was assessed. The curve evidenced an SAR pattern varying from <1 W kg(-1) to >6 W kg(-1) during the first 5 weeks of the life of mice, with a peak resonance phenomenon at a weight around 5 g. This curve was used to set the appropriate level of input power during experimental sessions to expose the growing mice to a defined and constant dose.

Effects of 50 Hz magnetic field exposure on tumor experimental models.

The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction between a 50 Hz, 2 mT magnetic field (MF) exposure and cell growth of mammary murine adenocarcinoma, injected into experimental mice. Six different experimental protocols were performed over 2 years; several different protocols of timing of exposure were tested. X-ray radiation was adopted as the positive control. Tumor incidence and the tumor development time were calculated. No effect was observed in any experiment, and there was no statistically significant difference related to time courses among the protocols used. Neither the time of tumor cell injection nor the time of exposure produced differences between unexposed, sham, and exposed mice. When X-ray radiation was applied, the cytotoxic effect of ionizing radiation was clear, but was not increased or modified by MF exposure. Finally, the study revealed how the host-tumor system has shown a distinctive variability, unmodified by MF exposure.

Possible Combined Effects of 900 MHZ Continuous-Wave Electromagnetic Fields and Gentamicin on the Auditory System of Rats

Abstract Parazzini, M., Galloni, P., Piscitelli, M., Pinto, R., Lovisolo, G. A., Tognola, G., Ravazzani, P. and Marino, C. Possible Combined Effects of 900 MHZ Continuous-Wave Electromagnetic Fields and Gentamicin on the Auditory System of Rats. Radiat. Res. 167, 600–605 (2007). The aim of this study was to evaluate the cochlear functionality of Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to electromagnetic fields at 900 MHz and to gentamicin by distortion product otoacoustic emissions, which are a well-known indicator of the status of the cochleas outer hair cells. A population of 32 rats was divided into four groups: group 1 was treated with daily intramuscular injections of 150 mg/kg body weight gentamicin for 15 days; group 2 was treated with daily intramuscular injections of 150 mg/kg body weight gentamicin for 15 days and exposed to electromagnetic fields; group 3 was exposed to electromagnetic fields; group 4 was sham-exposed. Rats were exposed 2 h/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks at a local SAR of 4 W/kg in the ear (continuous wave at 900 MHz). Distortion product otoacoustic emissions tests were carried out before, during and after the combined exposure. The analysis of the data showed no subchronic exposure to electromagnetic fields on the inner auditory system of rats in either normal ears or ears exposed to a well-recognized pathological agent.

Quantitative indices for the assessment of the repeatability of distortion product otoacoustic emissions in laboratory animals

Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) can be used to study cochlear function in an objective and non-invasive manner. One practical and essential aspect of any investigating measure is the consistency of its results upon repeated testing of the same individual/animal (i.e., its test/retest repeatability). The goal of the present work is to propose two indices to quantitatively assess the repeatability of DPOAE in laboratory animals. The methodology is here illustrated using two data sets which consist of DPOAE subsequently collected from Sprague-Dawley rats. The results of these experiments showed that the proposed indices are capable of estimating both the repeatability of the true emission level and the inconsistencies associated with measurement error. These indices could be a significantly useful tool to identify real and even small changes in the cochlear function exerted by potential ototoxic agents

Effects of ELF Exposure on Murine Immune System

In the last few years, a great interest has accompained the studies on the effects of extremely low frequencies (ELF) fields on cells of different biological systems. In the present paper, the effects of the magnetic field (MF) exposure on cells of the immune system were investigated in an in vivo experimental model. Results have indicated an effect of the exposure on both cellularities and functions of cells from central and peripheral lymphoid tissues, as these parameters were reduced in mice exposed to an ELF field as compared to unexposed animals.

Effects of ELF Magnetic Fields on Cellular Proliferation in in Vivo System

Over last decades, the remarkable growth of electromagnetic fields level in the environment, related to industrial and technological development, has been increased the interest on possible interactions between extremely low frequencies (ELF) magnetic fields and cells of several biological systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of magnetic field exposure in an in vivo experimental model; the influence of ELF (in particular 50 Hz) on tumor development has been investigated, testing the effect on malignant cells proliferation and tumoral growth rate.