Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Microwave radiation induced oxidative stress, cognitive impairment and inflammation in brain of Fischer rats med./bio.

Published in: Indian J Exp Biol 2012; 50 (12): 889-896

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To investigate the effects of an exposure to microwaves on cognitive performance as well as oxidative stress level and cytokine production in rats.

Background/further details

3 groups of rats were examined (n=6 per group): 1.) sham exposure, 2.) exposure to 900 MHz-electromagnetic field and 3.) exposure to 1800 MHz-electromagnetic field.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 900 MHz
Exposure duration: 2 h/day, 5 days a week for 30 days
Exposure 2: 1,800 MHz
Exposure duration: 2 h/day, 5 days a week for 30 days

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 900 MHz
Type
Exposure duration 2 h/day, 5 days a week for 30 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Distance between exposed object and exposure source 1 m
Chamber during exposure rats were restrained in a closed box (30 cm x 20 cm x15 cm) divided in 4 compartements with holes of 1 cm for ventilation; 6 rats were placed within the device in two such boxes simultaneously
Setup GTEM cell was a pyramidal tapered, dual terminated section with outer cell dimension of 220 cm Π120 cm Π80 cm; microwave chamber was lined with absorbers to minimize reflections
Sham exposure A sham exposure was conducted.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 0.5953 mW/kg mean calculated - -
power density 1.68 W/m² - - - -
power 0.2408 mW - - - received by the animals

Exposure 2

Main characteristics
Frequency 1,800 MHz
Type
Exposure duration 2 h/day, 5 days a week for 30 days
Exposure setup
Exposure source
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
SAR 0.5835 mW/kg mean calculated - -
power density 1.72 W/m² - - - -
power 0.2408 mW - - - received by the animals

Reference articles

  • Ardoino L et al. (2005): A radio-frequency system for in vivo pilot experiments aimed at the studies on biological effects of electromagnetic fields

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)

In the elevated plus maze and the Morris water maze, the spatial memory and learning was significantly decreased in the exposed groups in comparison to the sham exposed group. No significant differences occurred between the exposure groups.
In the exposed group the levels of the lipid oxidation and protein oxidation as well as the levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha were significantly increased and the level of reduced glutathione was significantly decreased compared to the sham exposed group.
The authors conclude that exposure to microwaves could lead to cognitive impairments in rats and that these effects could be due to an increased oxidative stress level.

Study character:

Study funded by

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