Cognitive impairment and neurogenotoxic effects in rats exposed to low-intensity microwave radiation.
The health hazard of microwave radiation (MWR) has become a recent subject of interest as a result of the enormous increase in mobile phone usage. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of chronic low-intensity microwave exposure on cognitive function, heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), and DNA damage in rat brain. Experiments were performed on male Fischer rats exposed to MWR for 180 days at 3 different frequencies, namely, 900, 1800 MHz, and 2450 MHz. Animals were divided into 4 groups: group I: sham exposed; group II: exposed to MWR at 900 MHz, specific absorption rate (SAR) 5.953 × 10(-4) W/kg; group III: exposed to 1800 MHz, SAR 5.835 × 10(-4) W/kg; and group IV: exposed to 2450 MHz, SAR 6.672 × 10(-4) W/kg. All the rats were tested for cognitive function at the end of the exposure period and were subsequently sacrificed to collect brain. Level of HSP70 was estimated by enzyme-linked immunotarget assay and DNA damage was assessed using alkaline comet assay in all the groups. The results showed declined cognitive function, elevated HSP70 level, and DNA damage in the brain of microwave-exposed animals. The results indicated that, chronic low-intensity microwave exposure in the frequency range of 900 to 2450 MHz may cause hazardous effects on the brain.
Department of Biochemistry, Environmental Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory, University College of Medical Sciences & G.T.B. Hospital (University of Delhi), Dilshad Garden, Delhi, India.
Pravin Suryakantrao
PS
Deshmukh
Department of Biochemistry, Environmental Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory, University College of Medical Sciences & G.T.B. Hospital (University of Delhi), Dilshad Garden, Delhi, India Department of Pharmacology, University College of Medical Sciences & G.T.B. Hospital (University of Delhi), Dilshad Garden, Delhi, India.
Namita
N
Nasare
Department of Biochemistry, Environmental Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory, University College of Medical Sciences & G.T.B. Hospital (University of Delhi), Dilshad Garden, Delhi, India.
Kanu
K
Megha
Department of Biochemistry, Environmental Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory, University College of Medical Sciences & G.T.B. Hospital (University of Delhi), Dilshad Garden, Delhi, India banerjeebd@hotmail.com.
Basu Dev
BD
Banerjee
Department of Biochemistry, Environmental Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory, University College of Medical Sciences & G.T.B. Hospital (University of Delhi), Dilshad Garden, Delhi, India.
Rafat Sultana
RS
Ahmed
Department of Biochemistry, Environmental Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory, University College of Medical Sciences & G.T.B. Hospital (University of Delhi), Dilshad Garden, Delhi, India.
Digvijay
D
Singh
Centre for Applied Research in Electronics (CARE), Indian Institute of Technology, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, India.
Mahesh Pandurang
MP
Abegaonkar
Department of Biochemistry, Environmental Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory, University College of Medical Sciences & G.T.B. Hospital (University of Delhi), Dilshad Garden, Delhi, India.
Ashok Kumar
AK
Tripathi
Department of Pharmacology, University College of Medical Sciences & G.T.B. Hospital (University of Delhi), Dilshad Garden, Delhi, India.
Pramod Kumari
PK
Mediratta
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000528:radiation effects; D040421:Cell Phone; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D020552:Comet Assay; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D004249:DNA Damage; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000528:radiation effects; D008872:Microwaves / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D065852:Spatial Memory / Q000528:radiation effects; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000528:radiation effects; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation / Q000009:adverse effects
D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins
DNA damage; HSP70; brain; cognitive function; comet assay; microwave exposure