Microwave bioeffects in the erythrocyte are temperature and pO2 dependent: cation permeability and protein shedding occur at the membrane phase transition.

Bioelectromagnetics · 1984 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 5927

Study snapshot

PublicationBioelectromagnetics · 1984

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Microwave exposure (2450 MHz, 60 mW/g, CW) of rabbit erythrocytes increases Na passive transport only at membrane phase transition temperatures (Tc) of 17-19 degrees C. This permeability effect is enhanced for relative hypoxia which is characteristic of intracellular oxygen tension (pO2 less than or equal to 5 mm Hg). Neither the permeability nor the pO2 effects are observed in temperature-matched (+/- 0.05 degrees C), sham-exposed controls. In addition, at Tc, microwave exposure is observed to induce the shedding or release of two erythrocyte proteins not seen in sham-exposed controls. Moreover, the enhanced shedding of at least seven other proteins all of molecular weight less than or equal to 28,000 D was detected in the microwave-treated samples. Using sensitive silver staining we estimate that approximately 450 fg of protein were shed per erythrocyte. These results demonstrate that temperature and pO2 are important influences on both functional and structural responses of cell membranes to microwave radiation.

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AI evidence extraction

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Study typein_vitro

Effect directionharm

PopulationRabbit erythrocytes

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposuremicrowave · 2450 MHz · 60 W/kg

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Microwave exposure (2450 MHz, 60 mW/g, CW) increased Na passive transport in rabbit erythrocytes only at membrane phase transition temperatures (Tc 17–19°C), and this effect was enhanced under relative hypoxia (pO2 ≤ 5 mm Hg). At Tc, exposure also induced shedding/release of erythrocyte proteins (including two proteins not seen in sham controls and enhanced shedding of at least seven others ≤28,000 D); sham-exposed temperature-matched controls did not show these effects.

Outcomes measured

Na passive transport / cation permeability
Protein shedding/release from erythrocytes
Dependence on temperature (membrane phase transition Tc 17–19°C)
Dependence on intracellular-like hypoxia (pO2 ≤ 5 mm Hg)

Limitations

Exposure duration not reported in abstract
Sample size not reported in abstract
In vitro erythrocyte model; generalizability to in vivo outcomes not addressed in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 2450,
    "sar_wkg": 60,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Rabbit erythrocytes",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Na passive transport / cation permeability",
    "Protein shedding/release from erythrocytes",
    "Dependence on temperature (membrane phase transition Tc 17–19°C)",
    "Dependence on intracellular-like hypoxia (pO2 ≤ 5 mm Hg)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Microwave exposure (2450 MHz, 60 mW/g, CW) increased Na passive transport in rabbit erythrocytes only at membrane phase transition temperatures (Tc 17–19°C), and this effect was enhanced under relative hypoxia (pO2 ≤ 5 mm Hg). At Tc, exposure also induced shedding/release of erythrocyte proteins (including two proteins not seen in sham controls and enhanced shedding of at least seven others ≤28,000 D); sham-exposed temperature-matched controls did not show these effects.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure duration not reported in abstract",
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "In vitro erythrocyte model; generalizability to in vivo outcomes not addressed in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "microwave",
    "2450 MHz",
    "continuous wave",
    "SAR 60 mW/g",
    "rabbit erythrocytes",
    "membrane phase transition",
    "cation permeability",
    "sodium transport",
    "hypoxia",
    "pO2",
    "protein shedding"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1002/bem.2250050215
PubMed: 6732882

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