Low intensity microwave radiation effects on the ultrastructure of Chang liver cells.

Abstract

Chang liver cells (CCL-13 ATCC) exposed to 2450 MHz microwaves of field intensities ranging from 5 to 20 mW/cm2 for different periods up to 2 h show distinct alterations in the cytomembrane ultrastructure. A 30-min exposure of 10 mW/cm2 produces well-defined cytoplasmic lesions which appear as clear areas of degenerated rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER). Extensive degeneration of RER along with fragmentation and vacuolation, disorganization of mitochondrial membranes and matrix, increased lysosomal activity, and in some cases disruptions of nuclear membrane are seen in longer exposures. Radiation at 20 mW/cm2 produces significant damage to cell membranes in short exposures and treatments of 30 min and longer exposures lead to total disruption of organized cell ultrastructure. The identity of many organelles is lost as the cells become highly heteropycnotic with numerous cytoplasmic projections. Short exposures of 5 mW/cm2 produce very few noticeable differences in ultrastructure. These results confirm earlier observations that membranes may be the primary targets of microwave radiation in cells.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Exposure to 2450 MHz microwaves at 5–20 mW/cm2 for up to 2 h was associated with intensity- and duration-dependent ultrastructural alterations in Chang liver cells. At 10 mW/cm2 for 30 min, cytoplasmic lesions with degenerated RER were observed; longer exposures showed more extensive organelle degeneration, and 20 mW/cm2 produced significant membrane damage in short exposures with total disruption of organized ultrastructure at ≥30 min. Short exposures at 5 mW/cm2 showed very few noticeable differences.

Outcomes measured

• Cell ultrastructure changes (cytomembrane ultrastructure)
• Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) degeneration/lesions
• Mitochondrial membrane/matrix disorganization
• Lysosomal activity changes
• Nuclear membrane disruptions
• Overall cell membrane damage/ultrastructure disruption

Limitations

• In vitro cell model; findings may not generalize to organisms or humans
• Sample size and replication not reported in abstract
• Exposure characterization limited to frequency and field intensity (no SAR or temperature information reported)
• Outcome assessment appears morphological/ultrastructural; functional consequences not described in abstract

{
    "study_type": "in_vitro",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 2450,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "up to 2 h (varied; includes 30 min and longer exposures)"
    },
    "population": "Chang liver cells (CCL-13 ATCC)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Cell ultrastructure changes (cytomembrane ultrastructure)",
        "Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) degeneration/lesions",
        "Mitochondrial membrane/matrix disorganization",
        "Lysosomal activity changes",
        "Nuclear membrane disruptions",
        "Overall cell membrane damage/ultrastructure disruption"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Exposure to 2450 MHz microwaves at 5–20 mW/cm2 for up to 2 h was associated with intensity- and duration-dependent ultrastructural alterations in Chang liver cells. At 10 mW/cm2 for 30 min, cytoplasmic lesions with degenerated RER were observed; longer exposures showed more extensive organelle degeneration, and 20 mW/cm2 produced significant membrane damage in short exposures with total disruption of organized ultrastructure at ≥30 min. Short exposures at 5 mW/cm2 showed very few noticeable differences.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "In vitro cell model; findings may not generalize to organisms or humans",
        "Sample size and replication not reported in abstract",
        "Exposure characterization limited to frequency and field intensity (no SAR or temperature information reported)",
        "Outcome assessment appears morphological/ultrastructural; functional consequences not described in abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "microwave radiation",
        "2450 MHz",
        "Chang liver cells",
        "cell membrane",
        "ultrastructure",
        "rough endoplasmic reticulum",
        "mitochondria",
        "lysosomes",
        "nuclear membrane"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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