Iranian Journal of Medical Physics

Iranian Journal of Medical Physics

Cell Phone and Breast Cancer: The Cell Phone-Generated Pulsed 217Hz ELF Magnetic Field Increases Angiogenesis

Document Type : Original Paper

Authors
Akram Mahna 1
Seyed Mohamad Firoozabadi 2
Amir Atashi 3
1 Department of Medical Physics, faculty of medicine, Tabriz university of medical sciences, Tabriz, Iran
2 Department of Medical Physics, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
3 Department of medical laboratory sciences, school of allied medical sciences, Shahroud university of Medical sciences, Shahroud, Iran
10.22038/ijmp.2020.52303.1859
Abstract
Introduction: Over the last decades, there has been an increasing trend in using cell phones which are exposing us to Radio-Frequency (RF) and Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) magnetic fields with various known and unknown biological effects. This protective study aimed to investigate the impact of environmental 217 Hz (as an ELF) magnetic fields generated by mobile phones on angiogenesis as an essential factor in tumor growth, in vitro and in vivo.
Material and Methods: Magnetic fields with amplitudes of 0.5, 6, 22, 44, 65 & 159 µT were exposed on Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and proliferation and viability of cells were measured. 3D angiogenesis assay was done by culturing HUVEC-covered microbeads in collagen gel and counting the number of sprouting micro-vessels per microbead. The percent of CD31 positive areas in breast tumor tissues of mice was assessed in the in vivo study.
Results: Results showed that some of the applied amplitudes could increase proliferation as well as the viability of HUVECs. Furthermore, 22 and 44 µT magnetic fields could significantly increase the angiogenesis of breast tumors in the mouse.
Conclusion: There is a promoting effect from ELF magnetic fields generated by cell phones on the angiogenesis of tumors. It will be helpful if we recommend that cancer patients not to be exposed to cell phones.
Keywords
Magnetic Field
Angiogenesis
Endothelial Cells
Mice
Breast Cancer
Subjects
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Iranian Journal of Medical Physics
Volume 18, Issue 6
November and December 2021
Pages 421-429

  • Receive Date 24 September 2020
  • Revise Date 12 November 2020
  • Accept Date 27 November 2020