The apoptotic effect and the plausible mechanism of microwave radiation on rat myocardial cells.

Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology · 2016 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 6595

Study snapshot

PublicationCanadian journal of physiology and pharmacology · 2016

Study typeanimal

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Microwaves may exert adverse biological effects on the cardiovascular system at the integrated system and cellular levels. However, the mechanism underlying such effects remains poorly understood. Here, we report a previously uncharacterized mechanism through which microwaves damage myocardial cells. Rats were treated with 2450 MHz microwave radiation at 50, 100, 150, or 200 mW/cm(2) for 6 min. Microwave treatment significantly enhanced the levels of various enzymes in serum. In addition, it increased the malondialdehyde content while decreasing the levels of antioxidative stress enzymes, activities of enzyme complexes I-IV, and ATP in myocardial tissues. Notably, irradiated myocardial cells exhibited structural damage and underwent apoptosis. Furthermore, Western blot analysis revealed significant changes in expression levels of proteins involved in oxidative stress regulation and apoptotic signaling pathways, indicating that microwave irradiation could induce myocardial cell apoptosis by interfering with oxidative stress and cardiac energy metabolism. Our findings provide useful insights into the mechanism of microwave-induced damage to the cardiovascular system.

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal

Effect directionharm

PopulationRats (myocardial/cardiac tissue and myocardial cells)

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposuremicrowave · 2450 MHz · 6 min

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Rats exposed to 2450 MHz microwave radiation (50–200 mW/cm^2 for 6 min) showed increased serum enzyme levels, increased myocardial malondialdehyde, decreased antioxidative stress enzymes, reduced mitochondrial complex I–IV activities and ATP, and myocardial cell structural damage with apoptosis. Western blot results indicated altered expression of proteins involved in oxidative stress regulation and apoptotic signaling pathways.

Outcomes measured

Serum enzyme levels
Malondialdehyde (MDA) content in myocardial tissue
Antioxidative stress enzyme levels in myocardial tissue
Mitochondrial enzyme complex I-IV activities in myocardial tissue
ATP levels in myocardial tissue
Myocardial cell structural damage
Myocardial cell apoptosis
Protein expression changes related to oxidative stress regulation and apoptotic signaling (Western blot)

Limitations

Sample size not reported in abstract
Specific serum enzymes and specific proteins assessed by Western blot not listed in abstract
No SAR or dosimetry details provided in abstract
Short exposure duration (6 min) limits inference about longer-term effects

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "microwave",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 2450,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "6 min"
  },
  "population": "Rats (myocardial/cardiac tissue and myocardial cells)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Serum enzyme levels",
    "Malondialdehyde (MDA) content in myocardial tissue",
    "Antioxidative stress enzyme levels in myocardial tissue",
    "Mitochondrial enzyme complex I-IV activities in myocardial tissue",
    "ATP levels in myocardial tissue",
    "Myocardial cell structural damage",
    "Myocardial cell apoptosis",
    "Protein expression changes related to oxidative stress regulation and apoptotic signaling (Western blot)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Rats exposed to 2450 MHz microwave radiation (50–200 mW/cm^2 for 6 min) showed increased serum enzyme levels, increased myocardial malondialdehyde, decreased antioxidative stress enzymes, reduced mitochondrial complex I–IV activities and ATP, and myocardial cell structural damage with apoptosis. Western blot results indicated altered expression of proteins involved in oxidative stress regulation and apoptotic signaling pathways.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Specific serum enzymes and specific proteins assessed by Western blot not listed in abstract",
    "No SAR or dosimetry details provided in abstract",
    "Short exposure duration (6 min) limits inference about longer-term effects"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "microwave radiation",
    "2450 MHz",
    "rats",
    "myocardial cells",
    "cardiovascular system",
    "oxidative stress",
    "apoptosis",
    "mitochondrial complexes",
    "ATP",
    "malondialdehyde"
  ],
  "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: 10.1139/cjpp-2015-0537
PubMed: 27203380

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