Low power density microwave radiation induced early changes in rabbit lens epithelial cells.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether low power density microwave radiation can induce irreversible changes in rabbit lens epithelial cells (LECs) and the mechanisms of the changes.


METHODS
One eye of each rabbit was exposed to 5 mW/cm2 or 10 mW/cm2 power density microwaves for 3 hours, while the contralateral eye served as a control. Annexin V-propidium iodide (PI) two-color flow cytometry (FCM) was used to detect the early changes in rabbit lens epithelial cells after radiation.


RESULTS
Lots of rabbit LECs were in the initial phase of apoptosis in the 5 mW/cm2 microwave radiation group. A large number of cells became secondary necrotic cells, and severe damage could be found in the group exposed to 10 mW/cm2 microwave radiation.


CONCLUSIONS
Low power densities of microwave radiation (5 mW/cm2 and 10 mW/cm2) can induce irreversible damage to rabbit LECs. This may be the non-thermal effect of microwave radiation.
Ye
J
J
Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Second Hospital, Medical College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China. Yejuan_99@163.net
Yao
K
K
Lu
D
D
Wu
R
R
Jiang
H
H
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000528:radiation effects; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000528:radiation effects; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000166:cytology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008872:Microwaves / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011817:Rabbits