Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Microwave effects on energy metabolism of rat brain med./bio.

By: Sanders AP, Schaefer DJ, Joines WT
Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 1980; 1 (2): 171-181
Download citation in RIS format

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the effects of microwave exposure on energy metabolism of rat brain mitochondria in vivo and in vitro during and after exposure.

Background/further details

NADH levels were determined during exposure on pentobarbital anesthetized rats. ATP and creatine phosphate (CP) levels were determined on isolated rat brain after exposure.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 591 MHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: 0.5 min, 1 min, 2 min, 3 min and 5 min
Exposure 2: 591 MHz
Modulation type: CW
Exposure duration: 5 min
  • power density: 470 W/m² maximum (18.0, 30.0, 40.0 and 47.0 mW/cm².)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 591 MHz
Type
Waveform
Charakteristic
Exposure duration 0.5 min, 1 min, 2 min, 3 min and 5 min
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 0.03 m
Chamber Head holders placed inside a Faraday shield
Setup The 3.0 x 3.0 cm aperture antenna was positioned 3.0 cm above the rat brain surface and irradiating only the head with the electric field parallel to the body axis
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power density 50 W/m² unspecified measured - exposed for 0.5 min and 1 min.
power density 138 W/m² maximum measured - exposed for 0.5 min, 1 min, 2 min, 3 min and 5 min.

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 591 MHz
Type
Waveform
Charakteristic
Exposure duration 5 min
Modulation
Modulation type CW
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
power density 470 W/m² maximum measured - 18.0, 30.0, 40.0 and 47.0 mW/cm².

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Investigated organ system:
Time of investigation:
  • during exposure
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The in vivo fluorimetric determination of NADH level in brain during microwave exposure revealed an increase of this compound. The in vitro determination by coupled enzyme spectrophotometric assay of ATP and CP levels in isolated brain after exposure showed a decrease of this compounds. The suggestion that microwave exposure of brain mitochondria leads to an inhibition of the electron transport chain resulting in an decreased energy level (i.e. decreased ATP and CP levels) is supported by this investigation.

Study character:

Study funded by

Related articles