Autoradiographic analysis of protein synthesis and measurements of nuclear volume in WISH cell cultures irradiated with 3 GHz electromagnetic radiation.
WISH cell cultures were irradiated 24 h after passage with 3 GHz microwaves for 30 min at intensites of 5 or 20 mW cm-2. After times from exposure of 1, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h the cells were incubated with 5 muCi ml-2 of 3H-glycine and autoradiographs were made using stripping film. The incorporation of the amino acid was measured for four groups, 0-10, 10-20, 20-40 and above 40 grains per cell. Karyometric analysis of irradiated cell cultures was performed 1, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h after exposure. In cultures irradiated at an intensity of 20 mW cm-2, inhibition of protein synthesis with lowering of nuclear volume and enlargement of nucleoli was found one hour after irradiation. This was followed by increase in glycine incorporation 12 and 24 h after irradiation, with enlargement of nuclei. In cultures irradiated at an intensity of 5mW cm-2 stimulation of protein synthesis and enlargement of nuclei were seen 24 h after irradiation. These results suggests that low intensity microwaves stimulate metabolism of cells grown in vitro, although at higher intensities the phase of stimulation is preceded by a short period of inhibition in the culture viability.
D002460:Cell Line; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008872:Microwaves; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D011830:Radiation Effects