Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of GSTM1 and GSTT1 Polymorphisms on Genetic Damage in Humans Populations Exposed to Radiation From Mobile Towers

  • Published:
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

All over the world, people have been debating about associated health risks due to radiation from mobile phones and mobile towers. The carcinogenicity of this nonionizing radiation has been the greatest health concern associated with mobile towers exposure until recently. The objective of our study was to evaluate the genetic damage caused by radiation from mobile towers and to find an association between genetic polymorphism of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes and DNA damage. In our study, 116 persons exposed to radiation from mobile towers and 106 control subjects were genotyped for polymorphisms in the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes by multiplex polymerase chain reaction method. DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes was determined using alkaline comet assay in terms of tail moment (TM) value and micronucleus assay in buccal cells (BMN). There was a significant increase in BMN frequency and TM value in exposed subjects (3.65 ± 2.44 and 6.63 ± 2.32) compared with control subjects (1.23 ± 0.97 and 0.26 ± 0.27). However, there was no association of GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms with the level of DNA damage in both exposed and control groups.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.

References

  • Abdel-Rahman SZ, El-Zein RA, Anwar WA, Au WW (1996) Multiplex PCR procedure for polymorphic analysis of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes in population studies. Cancer Lett 107:229–233

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Abdel-Rassoul G, El-Fateh OA, Salem MA, Michael A, Farahat F, El-Batanouny M et al (2007) Neurobehavioral effects among inhabitants around mobile phone base stations. Neurotoxicology 28(2):434–440

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Agundez JA (2004) Cytochrome P450 gene polymorphism and cancer. Curr Drug Metab 5:211–224

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Albertini RJ, Anderson D, Douglas GR, Hagmar L, Hemminki K, Merlo F (2000) IPCS guidelines for the monitoring of genotoxic effects of carcinogens in humans. International Programme on Chemical Safety. Mutat Res 463:111–172

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Khaliwi T, Meo SA (2004) Association of mobile phone radiation with fatigue, headache, dizziness, tension and sleep disturbance in Saudi population. Saudi Med J 25(6):732–736

    Google Scholar 

  • Bajpai P, Tripathi AK, Agrawal D (2007) Increased frequencies of glutathione-S-transferase (GSTM1 and GSTT1) null genotypes in Indian patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia. Leuk Res 31:1359–1363

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Behrendt L, Jönsson ME, Goldstone JV, Stegeman JJ (2010) Induction of cytochrome P450 1 genes and stress response genes in developing zebrafish exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Aquat Toxicol 98(1):74–82

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blaszczyk E, Mielzynska-Svach D (2014) Micronucleus assay in epithelial cells from the oral cavity and urinary tract in female smokers and non-smokers. Environ Biotechnol 10(2):60–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cha IH, Park JY, Chung WY, Choi MA, Kim HJ, Park KK (2007) Polymorphisms of CYP1A1 and GSTM1 genes and susceptibility to oral cancer. Yon Med Jorn 48:233–239

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Collins A, Koppen G, Valdiglesias V, Dusinska M, Kruszewski M, Møller P et al (2014) The comet assay as a tool for human biomonitoring studies: the ComNet project. Mutat Res Rev Mutat Res 759:27–39

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Diem E, Schwarz C, Adlkofer F, Jahn O, Rudiger H (2005) Non-thermal DNA breakage by mobile-phone radiation (1800 MHz) in human fibroblasts and in transformed GFSH-R17 rat granulosa cells in vitro. Mutat Res 583:178–183

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Edvardsen H, Kristensen VN, GrenakerAlnaes GI et al (2007) Germline glutathione S-transferase variants in breast cancer: relation to diagnosis and cutaneous long-term adverse effects after two fractionation patterns of radiotherapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 67:1163–1171

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fenech M, Morley AA (1985) Measurement of micronuclei in lymphocytes. Mutat Res 147:29–36

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Franzellitti S, Valbonesi P, Ciancaglini N, Biondi C, Contin A, Bersani F et al (2010) Transient DNA damage induced by high-frequency electromagnetic fields (GSM 1.8 GHz) in the human trophoblast HTR-8/SVneo cell line evaluated with the alkaline comet assay. Mutat Res 683:35–42

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gadhia PK, Shah T, Mistry A, Pithawala M, Tamakuwala D (2003) A preliminary study to assess possible chromosomal damage among users of digital mobile phones. Electromagn Biol Med 22:149–159

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gandhi G, Anita R (2005) Genetic damage in mobile phone users: some preliminary findings. Indian J Hum Genet 11:99–104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gandhi G, Singh P (2005) Cytogenetic damage in mobile phone users: preliminary data. Int J Hum Genet 5:259–265

    Google Scholar 

  • Garaj-Vrhovac V, Orescanin V (2009) Assessment of DNA sensitivity in peripheral blood leukocytes after occupational exposure to microwave radiation: the alkaline comet assay and chromatid breakage assay. Cell Biol Toxicol 25:33–43

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garson OM, McRobert TL, Campbell LJ, Hocking BA, Gordon I (1991) A chromosomal study of workers with long-term exposure to radiofrequency radiation. Med J Aust 155:289–293

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Görlitz BD, Muller M, Ebert S, Hecker H, Kuster N, Dasenbrock C (2005) Effects of 1-week and 6-week exposure to GSM/DCS radiofrequency radiation on micronucleus formation in B6C3F1 mice. Radiat Res 164:431–439

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hintzsche H, Stopper H (2010) Micronucleus frequency in buccal mucosa cells of mobile phone users. Toxicol Lett 193:124–130

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hirvonen A (1995) Genetic factors in individual responses to environmental exposures. J Occup Environ Med 37:37–43

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hirvonen A (1997) Combination of susceptible genotypes and individuals response to toxicants. Environ Health Perspect 105(Suppl):755–758

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hutter HP, Moshammer H, Wallner P, Kundi M (2006) Subjective symptoms, sleeping problems, and cognitive performance in subjects living near mobile phone base stations. Occup Environ Med 63(5):307–313

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ilhan A, Gurel A, Armutcu F, Kamisli S, Iraz M, Akyol O et al (2004) Ginkgo biloba prevents mobile phone-induced oxidative stress in rat brain. Clin Chim Acta 340:153–162

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Juutilainen J, Heikkinen P, Lagroye I, Miyakoshi J, van Rongen E, Saunders R et al (2010) Experimental studies on carcinogenicity of radiofrequency radiation in animals. Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol 41:1664–1695

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khalil AM, Qassem W (1991) Cytogenetic effects of pulsing electromagnetic field on human lymphocytes in vitro: chromosome aberrations, sister-chromatid exchanges and cell kinetics. Mutat Res 247:141–146

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kopjar N, Garaj-Vrhovac V (2001) Application of the alkaline comet assay in human biomonitoring for genotoxicity: a study on Croatian medical personnel handling antineoplastic drugs. Mutagenesis 16:71–78

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lagroye I, Hook GJ, Wettring BA, Baty JD, Moros EG, Straube WL et al (2004) Measurements of alkali-labile DNA damage and protein-DNA crosslinks after 2450 MHz microwave and low-dose gamma irradiation in vitro. Radiat Res 161:201–214

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lai H, Singh NP (1995) Acute low-intensity microwave exposure increases DNA single-strand breaks in rat brain cells. Bioelectromagnetics 16:207–210

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lalic H, Lekic A, Radosevic-Stasic B (2001) Comparison of chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes from people occupationally exposed to ionizing and radiofrequency radiation. Acta Med Okayama 55:117–127

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lönn S, Ahlbom A, Hall P, Feychting M (2004) Mobile phone use and the risk of acousticneuroma. Epidemiology 15:653–659

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maes A, Gorp VU, Verschaeve L (2006) Cytogenetic investigation of subjects professionally exposed to radiofrequency radiation. Mutagenesis 21:139–142

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Markova E, Hillert L, Malmgren L, Person BRR, Belyaev IY (2005) Microwaves from GSM mobile telephones affect 53BP1 and gamma-H2AX foci in human lymphocytes from hypersensitive and healthy persons. Environ Health Perspect 113:1172–1177

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McNamee JP, Bellier PV, Gajda JB, Miller SM, Lemay EP et al (2002) DNA damage and micronucleus induction in human leukocytes after acute in vitro exposure to a 1.9 GHz continuous wave radiofrequency field. Radiat Res 158:523–533

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mild KH, Hardell L, Kundi M, Mattsson M (2003) Mobile telephones and cancer: is there really no evidence of an association? [review]. Int J Mol Med 12:67–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Natalí Bernardi BS, Natalia Gentile BS, Fernando Mañas MD, Álvaro Méndez MD, Nora Gorla MD, Delia Aiassa MD (2015) Assessment of the level of damage to the genetic material of children exposed to pesticides in the province of Córdoba. Arch Argent Pediatr 113(2):126–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Navarro EA, Segura J, Portolés M, Gómez-Perretta de Mateo C (2003) The microwave syndrome: a preliminary study in Spain. Electrom Biol Med 22:161–169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olive PL, Banath JP, Durand RE (1990) Heterogeneity in radiation induced DNA damage and repair in tumor and normal cells using the “Comet assay”. Radiat Res 122:86–94

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Othman O, Aly El Nahas S, Mohamed HM (2003) Mutagenic potential of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. Cytologia 68:35–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ouerhani S, Tebourski F, Slama MR, Marrakchi R, Rabeh M, Hassine LB et al (2006) The role of glutathione transferases M1 and T1 in individual susceptibility to bladder cancer in a Tunisian population. Ann Hum Biol 33:529–535

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pastorelli R et al (1998) Impact of inherited polymorphism in glutathione s transferase M1, mocrosomal epoxide hydrolase, cytochrome P450 enzymes on DNA and blood protein adducts of benzo [a] pyrenediolepoxide. Cancer Epidmiol Biomark Prev 7:703–709

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rinaldi R, Eliasson E, Swedmark S, Morgenstern R (2002) Reactive intermediates and the dynamics of glutathione transferases. Drug Metab Dispos 30(10):1053–1058

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sakuma N, Komatsubara Y, Takeda H, Hirose H, Sekijima M, Nojima T et al (2006) DNA strand breaks are not induced in human cells exposed to 2.1425 GHz band CW and W-CDMA modulated radiofrequency fields allocated to mobile radio base stations. Bioelectromagnetics 27:51–57

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Salinas-Sánchez AS, Sánchez-Sánchez F, Donate-Moreno MJ, Rubio-Del-Campo A, Serrano-Oviedo L, Biol BA et al (2012) GSTT1, GSTM1, and CYP1B1 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to sporadic renal cell cancer. Urol Oncol 30(6):864–870

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santini R, Santini P, Danze JM, Le Ruz P, Seigne M (2002) Study of the health of people living in the vicinity of mobile phone base stations: incidence according to distance and sex. Pathol Biol 50(6):369–373

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schwarz C, Kratochvil E, Pilger A, Kuster N, Adlkofer F, Rudiger HW (2008) Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (UMTS 1,950 MHz) induce genotoxic effects in vitro in human fibroblasts but not in lymphocytes. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 81:755–767

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Simko M, Kriehuber R, Lange S (1998) Micronucleus formation in human amnion cells after exposure to 50 Hz MF applied horizontally and vertically. Mutat Res 418:101–111

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Singh NP, McCoy MT, Tice RR, Schneider EL (1988) A simple technique for quantitative of low levels of DNA damage in individual cells. Exp Cell Res 175:184–191

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Speit G, Hartmann A (2005) The comet assay: a sensitive genotoxicity test for the detection of DNA damage. Methods Mol Biol 291:85–95

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stich HF, Stich W, Parida BB (1982) Elevated frequency of micronucleated cells in the buccal mucosa of individuals at high risk for oral cancer: betel quid chewers. Cancer Lett 17:125–134

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stronati L, Testa A, Moquet J, Edwards A, Cordelli E, Villani P et al (2006) 935 MHz cellular phone radiation. An in vitro study of genotoxicity in human lymphocytes. Int J Radiat Biol 82:339–346

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sun CA, Wang LY, Chen CJ, Lu SN, You SL, Wang LW et al (2001) Genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferases M1 and T1 associated with susceptibility to aflatoxin-related hepatocarcinogenesis among chronic hepatitis B carriers: a nested case-control study in Taiwan. Carcinogenesis 22:1289–1294

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sun L, Yao K, Wang K, Lu D, Hu H, Gao X et al (2006a) 1800 MHz (GSM) exposure to eye lens cells in culture and analysis of DNA damage and gene expression. Mutat Res 602:135–142

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sun LX, Yao K, Jiang H, He JL, Lu DQ, Wang KJ et al (2006b) DNA damage and repair induced by acute exposure of microwave from mobile phone on cultured human lens epithelial cells. Zhonghua Yan Ke Za Zhi 42:1084–1088

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sun LX, Yao K, He JL, Lu DQ, Wang KJ, Li HW (2006c) Effect of acute exposure to microwave from mobile phone on DNA damage and repair of cultured human lens epithelial cells in vitro. Zhonghua Lao Dong Wei Sheng Zhi Ye Bing Za Zhi 24:465–467

    Google Scholar 

  • Tice RR, Agurell E, Anderson A, Burlinson B, Hartmenn A, Kobayashi H et al (2000) Single cell gel/comet assay: guidelines for in vitro and in vivo genetic toxicology testing. Environ Mol Mut 35:206–221

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tice RR, Hook GG, Donner M, McRee DI, Guy AW (2002) Genotoxicity of radiofrequency signals. I. Investigation of DNA damage and micronuclei induction in cultured human blood cells. Bioelectromagnetics 23:113–126

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tolbert PE, Shy CM, Allen JW (1991) Micronucleus and other nuclear anomalies in buccal smears: a field test in snuff users. Am J Epidemiol 134:840–850

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Trosic I, Busljeta I, Modlic B (2004) Investigation of the genotoxic effect of microwave irradiation in rat bone marrow cells: in vivo exposure. Mutagen 19:361–364

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Valverde M, Rojas E (2009) Environmental and occupational biomonitoring using the Comet assay. Mutat Res 681(1):93–109

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vijayalaxmi KS, Obe G (2004) Controversial cytogenetic observations in mammalian somatic cells exposed to radiofrequency radiation. Radiat Res 162:481–496

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vijayalaxmi KS, Bisht WF, Pickard ML, Meltz JL, Roti EG, Moros EG (2001) Chromosome damage and micronucleus formation in human blood lymphocytes exposed in vitro to radiofrequency radiation at a cellular telephone frequency (847.74 MHz, CDMA). Radiat Res 156:430–432

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vos O, Van der schans GP, Roos-verheij WS (1986) Reduction of intracellular glutathione content and radiosensitivity. Int J Radiat Biol 50:155–165

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wolf FI, Torsello A, Tedesco B, Fasanella S, Boninsegna A, D’Ascenzo M (2005) 50-Hzextremely low frequency electromagnetic fields enhance cell proliferation and DNA damage: possible involvement of a redox mechanism. Biochim Biophys Acta 1743:120–129

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yadav AS, Sharma MK (2008) Increased frequency of micronucleated exfoliated cells among humans exposed in vivo to mobile telephone radiation. Mutat Res 650:175–180

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zeni O, Romano M, Perrotta A, Lioi MB, Barbieri R, d’Ambrosio G et al (2005) Evaluation of genotoxic effects in human peripheral blood leukocytes following an acute in vitro exposure to 900 MHz radiofrequency fields. Bioelectromagnetics 26:258–265

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Y (2010) Interactions of chemical carcinogens and genetic variation in hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Hepatol 2(3):94–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Zmyoelony M, Palus J, Jajte J, Dziubaltowska E, Rajkowska E (2000) DNA damage in rat lymphocytes treated in vitro with iron cations and exposed to 7 mT magnetic fields (static or 50 Hz). Mut Res 453:89–96

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The work was performed in Animal Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra (Haryana), India. We are thankful to Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, India, for funding and to all blood donors for their voluntary participation in the study. We are also thankful to R. K. Kohli, vice chancellor, DAV University, Jalandhar (Punjab), India, for providing the spectrum analyzer.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Haryana, 136119, India

    Sachin Gulati, Anita Yadav, Neeraj Kumar &  Kanupriya

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Haryana, 136119, India

    Sachin Gulati & Ranjan Gupta

  3. Department of Microbiology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Haryana, 136119, India

    Neeraj K. Aggarwal

  4. Department of Forensic Medicine, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India

    Rajesh Kumar

Authors
  1. Sachin Gulati
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Anita Yadav
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Neeraj Kumar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Kanupriya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Neeraj K. Aggarwal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Rajesh Kumar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Ranjan Gupta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anita Yadav.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

No conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Gulati, S., Yadav, A., Kumar, N. et al. Effect of GSTM1 and GSTT1 Polymorphisms on Genetic Damage in Humans Populations Exposed to Radiation From Mobile Towers. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 70, 615–625 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-015-0195-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-015-0195-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation