[Electron microscopic analysis of the effect of modulated microwave radiation on isolated rat olfactory mucosa].

Abstract

Isolated olfactory neuroepithelium and neighbouring respiratory epithelium of 6 Wistar rats after exposure to high frequency irradiation (the microwave carrier frequency was 0.9 GHz; the rectangular pulse modulation was 16 pulses per second; the pulse duration was 50%; the microwave power density in exposure glass chamber was 15 W/kg; the exposure time was 15 min) were studied using high resolution transmission electron microscopy. Ultrathin sections of both epithelia showed the drastic changes in ultrastructure of mucosa. Knobs of primary olfactory neurons and apical parts of supporting (sustacle) cells of the neuroepithelium showed strong vacuolization due to stimulating effect of the microwave irradiation on mucus secretion. The fusion of neighbouring cilia of respiratory cells was revealed. Such "giant cilia" contained more than 5-10 axonemes with basal bodies. In one case the mucus contained paracrystalline structures which were formed by microvilli and nonidentified filamentous protein (10 nm in dia). Degeneration of primary olfactory neuron axons was revealed.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

After exposure to modulated microwave radiation (0.9 GHz; 16 pulses/s; 50% pulse duration; 15 W/kg; 15 min), ultrathin sections showed drastic ultrastructural changes in olfactory and respiratory epithelia, including strong vacuolization, cilia fusion forming "giant cilia," and degeneration of primary olfactory neuron axons.

Outcomes measured

• Ultrastructural changes in olfactory mucosa (electron microscopy)
• Vacuolization in olfactory neuron knobs and supporting cell apical parts
• Mucus secretion changes
• Fusion of neighbouring cilia in respiratory epithelium ("giant cilia")
• Paracrystalline structures in mucus (microvilli and unidentified filamentous protein)
• Degeneration of primary olfactory neuron axons

Limitations

• Study used isolated tissues rather than in vivo exposure
• Small sample size (6 rats)
• No control/sham exposure described in the abstract
• Exposure metric described as power density in W/kg; dosimetry details beyond this are not provided
• Short exposure duration (15 min)

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 900,
        "sar_wkg": 15,
        "duration": "15 min"
    },
    "population": "Isolated olfactory neuroepithelium and neighbouring respiratory epithelium from 6 Wistar rats",
    "sample_size": 6,
    "outcomes": [
        "Ultrastructural changes in olfactory mucosa (electron microscopy)",
        "Vacuolization in olfactory neuron knobs and supporting cell apical parts",
        "Mucus secretion changes",
        "Fusion of neighbouring cilia in respiratory epithelium (\"giant cilia\")",
        "Paracrystalline structures in mucus (microvilli and unidentified filamentous protein)",
        "Degeneration of primary olfactory neuron axons"
    ],
    "main_findings": "After exposure to modulated microwave radiation (0.9 GHz; 16 pulses/s; 50% pulse duration; 15 W/kg; 15 min), ultrathin sections showed drastic ultrastructural changes in olfactory and respiratory epithelia, including strong vacuolization, cilia fusion forming \"giant cilia,\" and degeneration of primary olfactory neuron axons.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Study used isolated tissues rather than in vivo exposure",
        "Small sample size (6 rats)",
        "No control/sham exposure described in the abstract",
        "Exposure metric described as power density in W/kg; dosimetry details beyond this are not provided",
        "Short exposure duration (15 min)"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "microwave radiation",
        "0.9 GHz",
        "pulse modulation",
        "rat",
        "Wistar",
        "olfactory mucosa",
        "respiratory epithelium",
        "electron microscopy",
        "ultrastructure",
        "vacuolization",
        "cilia fusion",
        "axon degeneration"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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