The apoptotic effect and the plausible mechanism of microwave radiation on rat myocardial cells.

Abstract

Microwaves may exert adverse biological effects on the cardiovascular system at the integrated system and cellular levels. However, the mechanism underlying such effects remains poorly understood. Here, we report a previously uncharacterized mechanism through which microwaves damage myocardial cells. Rats were treated with 2450 MHz microwave radiation at 50, 100, 150, or 200 mW/cm(2) for 6 min. Microwave treatment significantly enhanced the levels of various enzymes in serum. In addition, it increased the malondialdehyde content while decreasing the levels of antioxidative stress enzymes, activities of enzyme complexes I-IV, and ATP in myocardial tissues. Notably, irradiated myocardial cells exhibited structural damage and underwent apoptosis. Furthermore, Western blot analysis revealed significant changes in expression levels of proteins involved in oxidative stress regulation and apoptotic signaling pathways, indicating that microwave irradiation could induce myocardial cell apoptosis by interfering with oxidative stress and cardiac energy metabolism. Our findings provide useful insights into the mechanism of microwave-induced damage to the cardiovascular system.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Rats exposed to 2450 MHz microwave radiation (50–200 mW/cm^2 for 6 min) showed increased serum enzyme levels, increased myocardial malondialdehyde, decreased antioxidative stress enzymes, reduced mitochondrial complex I–IV activities and ATP, and myocardial cell structural damage with apoptosis. Western blot results indicated altered expression of proteins involved in oxidative stress regulation and apoptotic signaling pathways.

Outcomes measured

• Serum enzyme levels
• Malondialdehyde (MDA) content in myocardial tissue
• Antioxidative stress enzyme levels in myocardial tissue
• Mitochondrial enzyme complex I-IV activities in myocardial tissue
• ATP levels in myocardial tissue
• Myocardial cell structural damage
• Myocardial cell apoptosis
• Protein expression changes related to oxidative stress regulation and apoptotic signaling (Western blot)

Limitations

• Sample size not reported in abstract
• Specific serum enzymes and specific proteins assessed by Western blot not listed in abstract
• No SAR or dosimetry details provided in abstract
• Short exposure duration (6 min) limits inference about longer-term effects

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "microwave",
        "source": null,
        "frequency_mhz": 2450,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "6 min"
    },
    "population": "Rats (myocardial/cardiac tissue and myocardial cells)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Serum enzyme levels",
        "Malondialdehyde (MDA) content in myocardial tissue",
        "Antioxidative stress enzyme levels in myocardial tissue",
        "Mitochondrial enzyme complex I-IV activities in myocardial tissue",
        "ATP levels in myocardial tissue",
        "Myocardial cell structural damage",
        "Myocardial cell apoptosis",
        "Protein expression changes related to oxidative stress regulation and apoptotic signaling (Western blot)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Rats exposed to 2450 MHz microwave radiation (50–200 mW/cm^2 for 6 min) showed increased serum enzyme levels, increased myocardial malondialdehyde, decreased antioxidative stress enzymes, reduced mitochondrial complex I–IV activities and ATP, and myocardial cell structural damage with apoptosis. Western blot results indicated altered expression of proteins involved in oxidative stress regulation and apoptotic signaling pathways.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in abstract",
        "Specific serum enzymes and specific proteins assessed by Western blot not listed in abstract",
        "No SAR or dosimetry details provided in abstract",
        "Short exposure duration (6 min) limits inference about longer-term effects"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "microwave radiation",
        "2450 MHz",
        "rats",
        "myocardial cells",
        "cardiovascular system",
        "oxidative stress",
        "apoptosis",
        "mitochondrial complexes",
        "ATP",
        "malondialdehyde"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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