The aim of this study was to investigate whether 900 MHz radiation could affect astroglial and microglial cells in culture. The authors exposed the cells in special temperature-controlled cultures at SARs of 3 W/kg GSM modulated wave for 4, 8, and 24 hours, or 27 W/kg continuous wave for 24 hours. They assessed astroglial cell damage by measuring the amount of release into the extracellular medium of two pro-inflammatory cytokines - Il6 and Tfna, and the reactive marker Gfap. There were no differences in the levels seen when compared with control cell cultures. Microglial cells also showed no differences in levels of Il6, Tfna, or the microglial reactivity marker ED-1. The morphology of the cells also showed no evidence of damage. On the other hand, positive controls that were exposed to increased temperature (sometimes as little as 1ºC rise) did show evidence of cell damage.

The authors concluded that there was no evidence in their study that RFR had any effect on glial cells in culture.