Pathophysiology of microwave radiation: effect on rat brain.

PAPER pubmed Applied biochemistry and biotechnology 2012 Animal study Effect: harm Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.1007/s12010-011-9433-6 PMID: 22134878 Evidence Lab

Abstract

The study aims to investigate the effect of 2.45 GHz microwave radiation on Wistar rats. Rats of 35 days old with 130 ± 10 g body weight were selected for this study. Animals were divided into two groups: sham exposed and experimental (six animals each). Animals were exposed for 2 h a day for 45 days at 2.45 GHz frequency (power density, 0.21 mW/cm(2)). The whole body specific absorption rate was estimated to be 0.14 W/kg. Exposure took place in a ventilated plexiglas cage and kept in an anechoic chamber under a horn antenna. After completion of the exposure period, rats were killed, and pineal gland and whole brain tissues were isolated for the estimation of melatonin, creatine kinase, caspase 3, and calcium ion concentration. Experiments were performed in a blind manner and repeated. A significant decrease (P < 0.05) was recorded in the level of pineal melatonin of exposed group as compared with sham exposed. A significant increase (P < 0.05) in creatine kinase, caspase 3, and calcium ion concentration was observed in whole brain of exposed group of animals as compared to sham exposed. One-way analysis of variance method was adopted for statistical analysis. The study concludes that a reduction in melatonin or an increase in caspase-3, creatine kinase, and calcium ion may cause significant damage in brain due to chronic exposure of these radiations. These biomarkers clearly indicate possible health implications of such exposures.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Animal study

Effect direction

harm

Population

Wistar rats (35 days old; 130 ± 10 g)

Sample size

Exposure

microwave · 2450 MHz · 0.14 W/kg · 2 h/day for 45 days

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 78% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

Compared with sham exposure, the exposed rats had a significant decrease in pineal melatonin (P<0.05) and significant increases in whole-brain creatine kinase, caspase 3, and calcium ion concentration (P<0.05).

Outcomes measured

Pineal melatonin
Creatine kinase (whole brain)
Caspase 3 (whole brain)
Calcium ion concentration (whole brain)

Limitations

Small sample size (six animals per group)
Only biomarker outcomes reported; no behavioral or clinical endpoints described in abstract
Exposure source details beyond horn antenna/anechoic chamber not fully characterized in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 2450,
        "sar_wkg": 0.14000000000000001332267629550187848508358001708984375,
        "duration": "2 h/day for 45 days"
    },
    "population": "Wistar rats (35 days old; 130 ± 10 g)",
    "sample_size": 12,
    "outcomes": [
        "Pineal melatonin",
        "Creatine kinase (whole brain)",
        "Caspase 3 (whole brain)",
        "Calcium ion concentration (whole brain)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Compared with sham exposure, the exposed rats had a significant decrease in pineal melatonin (P<0.05) and significant increases in whole-brain creatine kinase, caspase 3, and calcium ion concentration (P<0.05).",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Small sample size (six animals per group)",
        "Only biomarker outcomes reported; no behavioral or clinical endpoints described in abstract",
        "Exposure source details beyond horn antenna/anechoic chamber not fully characterized in abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "2.45 GHz",
        "microwave radiation",
        "Wistar rat",
        "melatonin",
        "pineal gland",
        "caspase 3",
        "creatine kinase",
        "calcium",
        "anechoic chamber",
        "horn antenna",
        "SAR 0.14 W/kg",
        "power density 0.21 mW/cm2"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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