Microwave radiation and thermal effects on the bioenergetics of isolated mitochondria

Abstract

Aims

This study proposes to investigate the effects of microwave radiation and its thermal effects, compared to thermal effects alone, on the bioenergetics of mitochondria isolated from mouse liver.

Methods

The main parameters investigated in this study are mitochondrial respiration (coupled states: S3 and S4; uncoupled state), using a high-resolution respirometer, and swelling, using a spectrophotometer.

Results

Mitochondria irradiated at 2.45 GHz microwave with doses 0.085, 0.113 and 0.141 kJ/g, presented a decrease in S3 and uncoupled state, but an increase in S4. Conversely, mitochondria thermally treated at 40, 44 and 50 °C presented an increasing in S3 and S4, while uncoupled state was unaltered. Mitochondrial swelling increases as a function of the dose or temperature, indicating membrane damages in both cases.

Conclusion

Microwave radiation and thermal effect alone indicated different bioenergetics mitochondria response. These results imply that the effects due to microwave in medical treatment are not exclusively due to the increase in temperature, but a combination of electromagnetic and thermal effects.

Keywords:

• Electromagnetic radiation
• thermal effects
• microwave
• mitochondria
• bioenergetics

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, Brazil, protocol: 130160/2021-0.

Notes on contributors

Aline S. Perez

Aline S. Perez, PhD candidate, is studying at University of Sao Paulo - Institute of Physics, Brazil.

Natalia M. Inada

Natalia M. Inada, PhD, researcher at University of Sao Paulo - Institute of Physics of Sao Carlos, Brazil.

Natasha F. Mezzacappo

Natasha F. Mezzacappo, PhD candidate, is studying at University of Sao Paulo - Institute of Physics of Sao Carlos, Brazil.

Jose D. Vollet-Filho

Jose D. Vollet-Filho, PhD, researcher at University of Sao Paulo - Institute of Physics of Sao Carlos, Brazil.

Vanderlei S. Bagnato

Vanderlei S. Bagnato, PhD, is a professor at Texas A&M University, USA, and University of Sao Paulo - Institute of Physics of Sao Carlos, Brazil.