1800 MHz electromagnetic field effects on melatonin release from isolated pineal glands

• Published in: Journal of pineal research 2006-01, Vol.40 (1), p.86-91
• Main Authors: Sukhotina, Irina, Streckert, Joachim R., Bitz, Andreas K., Hansen, Volkert W., Lerchl, Alexander
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Cricetinae; Electromagnetic Fields; hamsters; In Vitro Techniques; melatonin; Melatonin - biosynthesis; Melatonin - secretion; mobile phone; Phodopus; Phodopus sungorus; pineal gland; Pineal Gland - radiation effects; Pineal Gland - secretion
• ISSN: 0742-3098; 1600-079X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-079X.2005.00284.x

:  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.