Evaluation of basal DNA damage and oxidative stress in Wistar rat leukocytes after exposure to microwave radiation.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess whether microwave-induced DNA damage is basal or it is also generated through reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. After having irradiated Wistar rats with 915MHz microwave radiation, we assessed different DNA alterations in peripheral leukocytes using standard and formamidopyrimidine DNA-glycosylase (Fpg)-modified comet assay. The first is a sensitive tool for detecting primary DNA damage, and the second is much more specific for detecting oxidative damage. The animals were irradiated for 1h a day for 2 weeks at a field power density of 2.4W/m(2), and the whole-body average specific absorption rate (SAR) of 0.6W/kg. Both the standard and the Fpg-modified comet assay detected increased DNA damage in blood leukocytes of the exposed rats. The significant increase in Fpg-detected DNA damage in the exposed rats suggests that oxidative stress is likely to be responsible. DNA damage detected by the standard comet assay indicates that some other mechanisms may also be involved. In addition, both methods served proved sensitive enough to measure basal and oxidative DNA damage after long-term exposure to 915MHz microwave radiation in vivo.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Wistar rats exposed to 915 MHz microwave radiation (2.4 W/m^2; whole-body average SAR 0.6 W/kg) showed increased DNA damage in peripheral blood leukocytes by both standard and Fpg-modified comet assays. The increase detected with the Fpg-modified assay suggests an oxidative component to the DNA damage.

Outcomes measured

• DNA damage in peripheral blood leukocytes (comet assay)
• Oxidative DNA damage (Fpg-modified comet assay)
• Oxidative stress / ROS-related damage (inferred via Fpg sensitivity)

Limitations

• Sample size not reported in the provided abstract.
• Only peripheral blood leukocytes were assessed; other tissues/endpoints not described.
• Mechanistic inference (ROS involvement) is based on Fpg sensitivity rather than direct ROS measurements in the abstract.

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 915,
        "sar_wkg": 0.59999999999999997779553950749686919152736663818359375,
        "duration": "1 h/day for 2 weeks"
    },
    "population": "Wistar rats (peripheral blood leukocytes assessed)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "DNA damage in peripheral blood leukocytes (comet assay)",
        "Oxidative DNA damage (Fpg-modified comet assay)",
        "Oxidative stress / ROS-related damage (inferred via Fpg sensitivity)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Wistar rats exposed to 915 MHz microwave radiation (2.4 W/m^2; whole-body average SAR 0.6 W/kg) showed increased DNA damage in peripheral blood leukocytes by both standard and Fpg-modified comet assays. The increase detected with the Fpg-modified assay suggests an oxidative component to the DNA damage.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in the provided abstract.",
        "Only peripheral blood leukocytes were assessed; other tissues/endpoints not described.",
        "Mechanistic inference (ROS involvement) is based on Fpg sensitivity rather than direct ROS measurements in the abstract."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "915 MHz",
        "microwave radiation",
        "Wistar rat",
        "leukocytes",
        "comet assay",
        "Fpg-modified comet assay",
        "DNA damage",
        "oxidative DNA damage",
        "oxidative stress",
        "SAR 0.6 W/kg",
        "power density 2.4 W/m^2"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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