Microwave exposure induces Hsp70 and confers protection against hypoxia in chick embryos.
To determine if microwave exposure could elicit a biological effect in the absence of thermal stress, studies were designed in which chick embryos were exposed to athermal microwave radiation (915 MHz) to look for induction of Hsp70, a protein produced during times of cellular stress that aids in the protection of cellular components. Levels of Hsp70 were found to increase within 2 h, with maximum expression ( approximately 30% higher than controls) typically occurring by 3 h from the start of exposure. Other embryos were exposed to microwave radiation prior to being subjected to hypoxic stress, and were found to have significantly higher survival (P < 0.05) following re-oxygenation than non-exposed controls. The results of these studies indicate that not only can athermal microwave exposures activate the stress protein response pathway; they can also enhance survivability following exposure to a subsequent, potentially lethal stress. From a public health standpoint, it is important that more studies be performed to determine if repeated exposures, a condition likely to be found in cell phone use, are still beneficial.
Shallom
Joshua M
JM
Vitreous State Laboratory, Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA.
Di Carlo
Andrea L
AL
Ko
Daejin
D
Penafiel
L Miguel
LM
Nakai
Akira
A
Litovitz
Theodore A
TA
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000528:radiation effects; D000818:Animals; D002642:Chick Embryo / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D019610:Cytoprotection / Q000528:radiation effects; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000378:metabolism*; D008872:Microwaves; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000378:metabolism; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013696:Temperature
D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins