Cellular effects of radiofrequency exposure to 1950 MHz, LTE signal, in human neuroblastoma cells in combination with menadione

In previous investigations, we reported that pre-exposure to radiofrequency (RF) with different frequencies, modulation patterns, and specific absorption rate (SAR) levels, can reduce the damage induced by physical and chemical agents in different cell models. This study carried out within the NextGEM project funded by the European Union, concerns the evaluation of the non-thermal effects of exposure and co-exposure of human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) to RF, in terms of ROS formation, apoptosis, and cell cycle progression. SH-SY5Y cells were exposed for three hours to 1950 MHz, LTE signal at SAR levels of 0.3 and 1.25 W/kg, and co-exposed to menadione, a well-known cytotoxic chemical agent. To date, the effect on ROS formation has been carried out by flow cytometer. The preliminary results here reported indicate: i) no effect on ROS formation after exposure to RF alone at both SAR levels investigated, ii) induction of ROS formation by MD treatments as a function of MD concentration, and iii) no effect of combined exposure of RF with 20 µM MD. Subsequent investigations will be carried out to consolidate these results and to assess the effects on apoptosis and cell cycle.