Microwave radiation (2.45 GHz)-induced oxidative stress: Whole-body exposure effect on histopathology of Wistar rats.

Abstract

Man-made microwave and radiofrequency (RF) radiation technologies have been steadily increasing with the growing demand of electronic appliances such as microwave oven and cell phones. These appliances affect biological systems by increasing free radicals, thus leading to oxidative damage. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of 2.45 GHz microwave radiation on histology and the level of lipid peroxide (LPO) in Wistar rats. Sixty-day-old male Wistar rats with 180 ± 10 g body weight were used for this study. Animals were divided into two groups: sham exposed (control) and microwave exposed. These animals were exposed for 2 h a day for 35 d to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation (power density, 0.2 mW/cm). The whole-body specific absorption rate (SAR) was estimated to be 0.14 W/kg. After completion of the exposure period, rats were sacrificed, and brain, liver, kidney, testis and spleen were stored/preserved for determination of LPO and histological parameters. Significantly high level of LPO was observed in the liver (p < 0.001), brain (p < 0.004) and spleen (p < 0.006) in samples from rats exposed to microwave radiation. Also histological changes were observed in the brain, liver, testis, kidney and spleen after whole-body microwave exposure, compared to the control group. Based on the results obtained in this study, we conclude that exposure to microwave radiation 2 h a day for 35 d can potentially cause histopathology and oxidative changes in Wistar rats. These results indicate possible implications of such exposure on human health.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Compared with sham-exposed controls, microwave-exposed rats had significantly higher LPO levels in liver (p < 0.001), brain (p < 0.004), and spleen (p < 0.006). Histological changes were observed in brain, liver, testis, kidney, and spleen after whole-body exposure.

Outcomes measured

• Histopathology (brain, liver, kidney, testis, spleen)
• Lipid peroxide (LPO) levels (oxidative stress marker)

Limitations

• Sample size per group not reported in abstract
• Exposure system details beyond power density and estimated SAR not described in abstract
• Randomization/blinding not described in abstract

Suggested hubs

• occupational-exposure (0.2)
  Whole-body RF/microwave exposure experiment; could be relevant to higher-exposure contexts, though no occupational setting is specified.

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 2450,
        "sar_wkg": 0.14000000000000001332267629550187848508358001708984375,
        "duration": "2 h/day for 35 d"
    },
    "population": "Sixty-day-old male Wistar rats (180 ± 10 g)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Histopathology (brain, liver, kidney, testis, spleen)",
        "Lipid peroxide (LPO) levels (oxidative stress marker)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Compared with sham-exposed controls, microwave-exposed rats had significantly higher LPO levels in liver (p < 0.001), brain (p < 0.004), and spleen (p < 0.006). Histological changes were observed in brain, liver, testis, kidney, and spleen after whole-body exposure.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size per group not reported in abstract",
        "Exposure system details beyond power density and estimated SAR not described in abstract",
        "Randomization/blinding not described in abstract"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "2.45 GHz",
        "microwave radiation",
        "radiofrequency",
        "whole-body exposure",
        "Wistar rats",
        "oxidative stress",
        "lipid peroxide",
        "histopathology",
        "SAR"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "occupational-exposure",
            "weight": 0.200000000000000011102230246251565404236316680908203125,
            "reason": "Whole-body RF/microwave exposure experiment; could be relevant to higher-exposure contexts, though no occupational setting is specified."
        }
    ]
}

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