Exposure to wireless phone emissions and serum beta-trace protein.
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Date
2010-07-02
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Abstract
The lipocalin type of prostaglandin D synthase or beta trace protein is synthesized in the choroid plexus lepto meninges and oligodendrocytes of the central nervous system and is secreted into the cerebrospinal fluid beta 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 beta trace protein in blood in relation to emissions from wireless phones This study included 62 persons aged 18 30 years The concentration of beta trace protein decreased with increasing number of years of use of a wireless phone yielding a negative beta coefficient 0 32 95 confidence interval 0 60 to 0 04 Also cumulative use in hours gave a negative beta 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 beta trace protein was found In a similar study of the remaining 22 participitants with no exposure beta trace protein increased significantly over time probably due to a relaxed situation EMF emissions may down regulate the synthesis of beta 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 beta trace protein concentrations