Microwave radiation (2.45 GHz)-induced oxidative stress: Whole-body exposure effect on histopathology of Wistar rats

ABSTRACT

Man-made microwave and radiofrequency (RF) radiation technologies have been steadily increasing with the growing demand of electronic appliances such as microwave oven and cell phones. These appliances affect biological systems by increasing free radicals, thus leading to oxidative damage. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of 2.45 GHz microwave radiation on histology and the level of lipid peroxide (LPO) in Wistar rats. Sixty-day-old male Wistar rats with 180 ± 10 g body weight were used for this study. Animals were divided into two groups: sham exposed (control) and microwave exposed. These animals were exposed for 2 h a day for 35 d to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation (power density, 0.2 mW/cm²). The whole-body specific absorption rate (SAR) was estimated to be 0.14 W/kg. After completion of the exposure period, rats were sacrificed, and brain, liver, kidney, testis and spleen were stored/preserved for determination of LPO and histological parameters. Significantly high level of LPO was observed in the liver (p < 0.001), brain (p < 0.004) and spleen (p < 0.006) in samples from rats exposed to microwave radiation. Also histological changes were observed in the brain, liver, testis, kidney and spleen after whole-body microwave exposure, compared to the control group.

Based on the results obtained in this study, we conclude that exposure to microwave radiation 2 h a day for 35 d can potentially cause histopathology and oxidative changes in Wistar rats. These results indicate possible implications of such exposure on human health.

KEYWORDS:

• Histopathology
• lipid peroxidation
• microwave radiation

Acknowledgment

We acknowledge our sincere thanks to Dr. Narasinha Shurpali, Docent, and Senior Scientist, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, for reviewing the manuscript and performing the necessary English language checks.

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest. They alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article. The authors are thankful to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research [CSIR project ref. No. 37(1536)/12/EMR-II], New Delhi, for financial assistance.