Dissertation committee:
Λουκάς Χ. Μαργαρίτης Ομοτ. Καθηγ.(Επιβλέπων), Σταύρος Κουσουλάκος Αναπλ. Καθηγ., Ισιδώρα Παπασιδέρη Αναπλ. Καθηγ.
Summary:
Electromagnetic waves (EMWs) ranging in frequency from 300 MHz to 300 GHz, are
increasingly present in our daily environment. In the present study we examined
the effect of the non-ionizing radiation emitted from cellular mobile phones of
the systems GSM-900 MHz (Global System for Mobile Telecommunications) and
GSM/DCS-1800MHz (Digital Cellular System) on the process of oogenesis and the
reproductive capacity of the insect Drosophila melanogaster.
According to our results, the 6min daily exposure (continuous or intermittent)
of the adult insects to GSM/DCS radiation, during the first 6 days of their
adult life, brings about a large increase in the percentages of induced the
cell death(DNA fragmentation, actin cytoskeleton disorganization, chromatin
condensation, caspase activation) in the nurse and follicle cells of the egg
chambers of the early and mid oogenesis (st. 1-10). Additionally, all types of
exposure resulted in a significant decrease of the reproductive capacity of the
insect, as this was defined by the number of F1 pupae. Furthermore, preliminary
experiments provided evidence for the potential influence of GSM radiation on
the integrity of the follicular epithelium of the egg chambers of late
oogenesis, as well as evidence for changes in the actin cytoskeleton
organization and distribution during the in vitro development of the egg
chambers and the simultaneous GSM exposure.
The interaction between EMFs and cell membranes is a possible interpretation of
the observed biological effects, according to the Ion Forced-Vibration Theory
proposed by our laboratory. The irregular gating of electrosensitive membrane
ion channels may lead, to the disruption of the cell’s electrochemical balance
and consequently to mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and eventually
cell death.
Keywords:
Mobile phones effects, Insect Drosophila melanogaster, Apoptotic cell death, Continuous and intermittent exposure, DNA fragmentation
