Radio and microwave radiation and experimental atherosclerosis.

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF/microwave",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 2450,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Microwave: 4 h/day, 5 days/week for 8–10 weeks; RF: continuous for 8–11 weeks"
  },
  "population": "New Zealand white rabbits (diet-induced atherosclerosis model)",
  "sample_size": 16,
  "outcomes": [
    "Serum cholesterol concentration",
    "Aortic wall cholesterol concentration",
    "Percentage of intimal surface involved in atherosclerotic lesions (atherosclerosis)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In 16 rabbits, microwave exposure (2.45 GHz; 20–30 mW/cm2; 4 h/day, 5 days/week for 8–10 weeks) produced no differences versus matched controls in serum cholesterol, aortic wall cholesterol, or percent intimal surface with atherosclerotic lesions. Continuous RF irradiation (1 MHz; 30 V/cm; 8–11 weeks) also did not change these indices of atherogenesis.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [
    "Small sample size (n=16)",
    "Exposure metrics reported as power density/field strength; SAR not provided",
    "Details of randomization/blinding not described in abstract",
    "Rabbit diet-induced model may not generalize to humans"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency",
    "microwave",
    "2.45 GHz",
    "1 MHz",
    "rabbit",
    "diet-induced atherosclerosis",
    "serum cholesterol",
    "aortic cholesterol",
    "atherogenesis"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "animal-studies",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Experimental exposure study in rabbits assessing atherosclerosis outcomes."
    }
  ]
}