[Effects of microwave radiation on thymocytes in mice at different power densities].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of microwave radiation on thymocytes in mice at different power densities. METHODS: The experimental animals were whole-body exposed to microwave radiation with frequency of 2,450 MHz, power density of 1, 5, 15 mW/cm(2) respectively 1 h everyday for 30 days. Then the thymus were taken out after the mice were decapitated. Thymus index, morphological characteristics of thymus were examined. The changes of thymus T-cell subgroups, cell cycle progression in thymocytes and cellular apoptosis were detected with flow cytometry (FCM). RESULTS: The body weights of animals in 5, 15 mW/cm(2) irradiation groups [(28.10 +/- 1.46), (27.50 +/- 2.52) g] were lower than that of the control [(31.95 +/- 2.51) g] (P < 0.05). Pathological observation showed dark red piece of nucleus, some nuclei inclined to one side, slight increase in hassall body. The expressions of CD8 in 5, 15 mW/cm(2) irradiation groups (29.14% +/- 1.68%, 29.18% +/- 0.81%) were higher than that in control group (26.95% +/- 1.27%) (P < 0.05). The percentages of G(2) + M phase thymocytes in both radiation groups (12.24% +/- 1.82%, 11.19% +/- 1.36%) were lower than that in control group (14.58% +/- 0.64%) (P < 0.01). Thymocytic apoptosis rates in the three experimental groups (7.18% +/- 0.99%, 10.06% +/- 1.58%, 9.45% +/- 0.92%) were higher than that in control (4.25% +/- 1.63%) (P < 0.01), but the evident difference between 5 mW/cm(2) and 15 mW/cm(2) was not found (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Sub-chronic microwave exposure (2 450 MHz, 5, 15 mW/cm(2)) could induce thymocyte apoptosis, cause pathological changes in thymus, and affect cell cycle progression, thus may inhibit the immune function of the animal.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Compared with controls, mice exposed to 2,450 MHz microwaves showed lower body weight at 5 and 15 mW/cm^2, pathological changes in thymus, higher CD8 expression at 5 and 15 mW/cm^2, lower G2+M phase thymocytes at 5 and 15 mW/cm^2, and higher thymocyte apoptosis rates at 1, 5, and 15 mW/cm^2. No significant difference in apoptosis rate was observed between 5 and 15 mW/cm^2.

Outcomes measured

• Body weight
• Thymus index
• Thymus morphology/pathology
• T-cell subgroups (CD8 expression)
• Cell cycle progression in thymocytes (G2+M phase %)
• Thymocyte apoptosis rate

Limitations

• Sample size not reported in abstract
• SAR not reported; exposure characterized by power density only
• Details of randomization/blinding not described in abstract
• Some outcomes reported only for 5 and 15 mW/cm^2 (not clearly for 1 mW/cm^2)

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 2450,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "1 h/day for 30 days (whole-body exposure); power density 1, 5, 15 mW/cm^2"
    },
    "population": "Mice (experimental animals)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Body weight",
        "Thymus index",
        "Thymus morphology/pathology",
        "T-cell subgroups (CD8 expression)",
        "Cell cycle progression in thymocytes (G2+M phase %)",
        "Thymocyte apoptosis rate"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Compared with controls, mice exposed to 2,450 MHz microwaves showed lower body weight at 5 and 15 mW/cm^2, pathological changes in thymus, higher CD8 expression at 5 and 15 mW/cm^2, lower G2+M phase thymocytes at 5 and 15 mW/cm^2, and higher thymocyte apoptosis rates at 1, 5, and 15 mW/cm^2. No significant difference in apoptosis rate was observed between 5 and 15 mW/cm^2.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in abstract",
        "SAR not reported; exposure characterized by power density only",
        "Details of randomization/blinding not described in abstract",
        "Some outcomes reported only for 5 and 15 mW/cm^2 (not clearly for 1 mW/cm^2)"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "microwave radiation",
        "2450 MHz",
        "power density",
        "whole-body exposure",
        "mice",
        "thymocytes",
        "thymus",
        "apoptosis",
        "cell cycle",
        "CD8",
        "immune function"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

Comments

Log in to comment.

No comments yet.