Autophagy mediates the degradation of synaptic vesicles: A potential mechanism of synaptic plasticity injury induced by microwave exposure in rats.

Abstract

UNLABELLED: To explore how autophagy changes and whether autophagy is involved in the pathophysiological process of synaptic plasticity injury caused by microwave radiation, we established a 30 mW/cm microwave-exposure in vivo model, which caused reversible injuries in rat neurons. Microwave radiation induced cognitive impairment in rats and synaptic plasticity injury in rat hippocampal neurons. Autophagy in rat hippocampal neurons was activated following microwave exposure. Additionally, we observed that synaptic vesicles were encapsulated by autophagosomes, a phenomenon more evident in the microwave-exposed group. Colocation of autophagosomes and synaptic vesicles in rat hippocampal neurons increased following microwave exposure. CONCLUSION: microwave exposure led to the activation of autophagy in rat hippocampal neurons, and excessive activation of autophagy might damage synaptic plasticity by mediating synaptic vesicle degradation.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In a rat in vivo model using 30 mW/cm microwave exposure, the authors report cognitive impairment and synaptic plasticity injury in hippocampal neurons. Autophagy was activated after exposure, with increased colocation of autophagosomes and synaptic vesicles; synaptic vesicles were observed encapsulated by autophagosomes, more evident in exposed rats.

Outcomes measured

• Cognitive impairment
• Synaptic plasticity injury in hippocampal neurons
• Autophagy activation in hippocampal neurons
• Autophagosome encapsulation/colocation with synaptic vesicles
• Synaptic vesicle degradation (proposed mechanism)

Limitations

• Exposure frequency not reported in abstract
• Exposure duration not reported in abstract
• Sample size not reported in abstract
• Mechanistic conclusion includes speculative language ("might")

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Rats (in vivo); rat hippocampal neurons",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Cognitive impairment",
        "Synaptic plasticity injury in hippocampal neurons",
        "Autophagy activation in hippocampal neurons",
        "Autophagosome encapsulation/colocation with synaptic vesicles",
        "Synaptic vesicle degradation (proposed mechanism)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In a rat in vivo model using 30 mW/cm microwave exposure, the authors report cognitive impairment and synaptic plasticity injury in hippocampal neurons. Autophagy was activated after exposure, with increased colocation of autophagosomes and synaptic vesicles; synaptic vesicles were observed encapsulated by autophagosomes, more evident in exposed rats.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Exposure frequency not reported in abstract",
        "Exposure duration not reported in abstract",
        "Sample size not reported in abstract",
        "Mechanistic conclusion includes speculative language (\"might\")"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "microwave exposure",
        "rats",
        "hippocampus",
        "autophagy",
        "synaptic vesicles",
        "synaptic plasticity",
        "cognition"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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