Abstract
Four groups of C57BL mice were irradiated with 3 GHz pulse (PW) microwaves for 3 hours at incident power densities of 0.1, 0.5, 1 and 5 mW/cm2 respectively. The amount of mitochondria1 marker enzymes succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) in the hypothalamus and hippocampus were determined by microspectrophotometry. SDH and MA0 in the irradiated groups (except 0.1 mW/cm2) were significantly lower compared to the control group (p < 0.01). The lowest level occurred in the 5 mW/cm2 group. The threshold level was 0.5 mW/cm2. To compare the effects of PW with continuous wave (CW) exposure, two experimental groups were exosed to 2.45 GHz, using CW; the enzymes were decreased only in the 5 mW/cm2 group. The results show that PW radiation is more effective then CW radiation in decreasing SDH and MA0 levels.