Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Changes in gap junctional intercellular communication in rabbits lens epithelial cells induced by low power density microwave radiation med./bio.

By: Ye J, Yao K, Zeng Q, Lu D

Published in: Chin Med J 2002; 115 (12): 1873-1876

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study the changes in gap junctional intercellular communication mediated by low power density microwave exposure in rabbits eye lens epithelial cells and its mechanisms.

Background/further details

16 rabbits were investigated: 8 rabbits were used for investigation of gap junctional intercellular communication function (4 rabbits received 5 mW/cm², 4 rabbits received 10 mW/cm²). The other 8 rabbits were used for detection of localization and function of connexin 43. One eye served as experimental eye while the other eye served as control.

Endpoint

cell function: gap junctional intercellular communication

Exposure

- 2.45 GHz
- microwaves
- low level microwaves

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: 2,450 MHz Exposure duration: continuous for 3 h	power density: 5 mW/cm² power density: 10 mW/cm²

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	2,450 MHz
Type	electromagnetic field
Exposure duration	continuous for 3 h

Exposure setup

Exposure source	microwave emission machine (made in China)
Distance between exposed object and exposure source	2 m
Setup	The head of the rabbit was fixed at the distance of 2 m from the emission machine, and one open eye was exposed.
Additional info	The other eye served as control and was covered tightly by copper grid cloth shielding material.

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
power density	5 mW/cm²	-	measured	-	-
power density	10 mW/cm²	-	measured	-	-

Measurement and calculation details

Power density was monitored using a Narda Model 8700 system and sensor.

Exposed system:

animal
rabbit/New Zealand
partial body: head/eye

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

cell function: gap junctional intercellular communication (fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP); number and localization of connexin 43 in capsules; immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy)

Investigated system:

intact cell/cell culture
anterior capsules of eye lens

Investigated organ system:

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The gap junctional intercellular communication of eye lens epithelial cells was inhibited by microwave irradiation especially in the 10 mW/cm² exposed samples. A decrease in connexin 43-positive staining was found in 5 mW/cm² treated eye lens epithelial cells.
In conclusion, low power densities microwave irradiation induces damage to connexin 43 and inhibits the gap junctional intercellular communication of eye lens epithelial cells. These changes result in an osmotic imbalance within the eye lens and induce early cataract.

Study character:

medical/biological study
experimental study
full/main study

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

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