Exposure to wireless phone emissions and serum β-trace protein

  • Authors:
    • Lennart Hardell
    • Fredrik Söderqvist
    • Michael Carlberg
    • Henrik Zetterberg
    • Kjell Hansson Mild
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: August 1, 2010     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm_00000466
  • Pages: 301-306
Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

The lipocalin type of prostaglandin D synthase or β-trace protein is synthesized in the choroid plexus, lepto-meninges and oligodendrocytes of the central nervous system and is secreted into the cerebrospinal fluid. β-trace protein is the key enzyme in the synthesis of prostaglandin D2, an endogenous sleep-promoting neurohormone in the brain. Electromagnetic fields (EMF) in the radio frequency (RF) range have in some studies been associated with disturbed sleep. We studied the concentration of β-trace protein in blood in relation to emissions from wireless phones. This study included 62 persons aged 18-30 years. The concentration of β-trace protein decreased with increasing number of years of use of a wireless phone yielding a negative β coefficient = -0.32, 95% confidence interval -0.60 to -0.04. Also cumulative use in hours gave a negative β coefficient, although not statistically significant. Of the 62 persons, 40 participated in an experimental study with 30 min exposure to an 890-MHz GSM signal. No statistically significant change of β-trace protein was found. In a similar study of the remaining 22 participitants with no exposure, β-trace protein increased significantly over time, probably due to a relaxed situation. EMF emissions may down-regulate the synthesis of β-trace protein. This mechanism might be involved in sleep disturbances reported in persons exposed to RF fields. The results must be interpreted with caution since use of mobile and cordless phones were self-reported. Awareness of exposure condition in the experimental study may have influenced β-trace protein concentrations.

Related Articles

Journal Cover

August 2010
Volume 26 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Hardell L, Söderqvist F, Carlberg M, Zetterberg H and Mild KH: Exposure to wireless phone emissions and serum β-trace protein. Int J Mol Med 26: 301-306, 2010
APA
Hardell, L., Söderqvist, F., Carlberg, M., Zetterberg, H., & Mild, K.H. (2010). Exposure to wireless phone emissions and serum β-trace protein. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 26, 301-306. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm_00000466
MLA
Hardell, L., Söderqvist, F., Carlberg, M., Zetterberg, H., Mild, K. H."Exposure to wireless phone emissions and serum β-trace protein". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 26.2 (2010): 301-306.
Chicago
Hardell, L., Söderqvist, F., Carlberg, M., Zetterberg, H., Mild, K. H."Exposure to wireless phone emissions and serum β-trace protein". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 26, no. 2 (2010): 301-306. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm_00000466