The purpose of this article was to present a brief review of pertinent information regarding the effects of microwave radiation on biological systems. Researchers have been intrigued by the interaction of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and various life processes since the 18th century. Microwaves refer to the oscillation of an EMF with ...
1 August 2017 in International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
High-power microwaves (HPMs) have been reported to have hazardous effects on multiple human and animal organs. However, the biological effects of 1.5-GHz HPMs on the reproductive system are not clear. Here, we studied the effects of 1.5 -GHz HPM whole-body exposure on the pathological structure of the testicles and changes in spermatozoa mobility. C57BL/6 mice of groups L, M, and H were exposed to 1.5-GHz HPM fields for two 15-min intervals at the average specific absorption rates of 3, 6, and 12 W/Kg, respectively. The pathological structure of the testicles and spermatozoa, as well as serum testosterone and sperm motility parameters, were evaluated at 6 h, 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d after exposure. As a result, there were no significant pathological or ultrastructural changes in the testicles or spermatozoa and serum testosterone levels. The number of progressively motile spermatozoa, curvilinear velocity, linear velocity, and average path velocity of the exposure group increased at 6 h, decreased at 1 d, and recovered at 3 d. The opposite results were considered a stress response to the thermal effect of the microwaves. Our results indicated that 1.5-GHz HPM whole-body exposure in mice at SARs of 3, 6, and 12 W/Kg for 30 min did not cause obvious damage to the reproductive system.
Radiation therapy (RT) is essential for treating thoracic malignancies but often causes significant lung damage. FLASH‐RT, an ultra‐high dose rate irradiation technique, shows potential in reducing radiation‐induced lung injury (RILI) while maintaining tumor control. However, the underlying immune mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigates the immune and cellular responses to FLASH‐RT versus conventional dose rate (CONV) RT during the early phase of RILI. Using single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq), a dynamic landscape of the lung microenvironment is pictured during RILI within one‐week post‐irradiation. The analysis reveals that FLASH‐RT induces a more immediate but transient cellular response, while CONV‐RT causes sustained inflammation. FLASH irradiation significantly reduces neutrophil infiltration compared to CONV irradiation, particularly within the pro‐inflammatory Ccrl2 + subset. FLASH irradiation also triggers stronger activation of CD4 + CD40L + Th cells, which are critical for regulating immune responses and balancing inflammation. Moreover, FLASH irradiation attenuates pro‐inflammatory activation and intercellular signaling of Mefv⁺ monocytes, thereby restraining excessive macrophage‐driven inflammation. Additionally, FLASH irradiation enhances TGF‐β signaling and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) in alveolar type 1 (AT1) cells, promoting tissue repair. These findings highlight FLASH‐RT's superior immune modulation and reparative potential, providing valuable insights into its clinical application for minimizing radiation damage and enhancing lung recovery.
The increasing use of microwave devices over recent years has meant the bioeffects of microwave exposure have been widely investigated and reported. However the exact biological fate of bone marrow MSCs (BM-MSCs) after microwave radiation remains unknown. In this study, the potential cytotoxicity on MSC proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, and in vitro differentiation were assayed following 2.856 GHz microwave exposure at a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 4 W/kg. Importantly, our findings indicated no significant changes in cell viability, cell division and apoptosis after microwave treatment. Furthermore, we detected no significant effects on the differentiation ability of these cells in vitro, with the exception of reduction in mRNA expression levels of osteopontin (OPN) and osteocalcin (OCN). These findings suggest that microwave treatment at a SAR of 4 W/kg has undefined adverse effects on BM-MSCs. However, the reduced-expression of proteins related to osteogenic differentiation suggests that microwave can the influence at the mRNA expression genetic level.
15 April 2024 in Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience
As wireless communication devices gain popularity, concerns about the potential risks of environmental exposure to complex frequency electromagnetic radiation (EMR) on mental health have become a public health issue. Historically, EMR research has predominantly focused on single- frequency electromagnetic waves, neglecting the study of multi-frequency electromagnetic waves, which more accurately represent everyday life. To address these concerns, our study compared the emotional effects of single-frequency and dual-frequency EMR while exploring potential molecular mechanisms and intervention targets. Our results revealed that single-frequency EMR at 2.65 or 0.8 GHz did not induce anxiety-like behavior in mice. However, exposure to dual-frequency EMR at 2.65/0.8 GHz significantly led to anxiety-like behavior in mice. Further analysis of mouse sera revealed substantial increases in corticosterone and corticotrophin releasing hormone levels following exposure to 2.65/0.8 GHz EMR. Transcriptome sequencing indicated a significant decrease in the expression of Cnr1, encoding cannabinoid receptor 1 Type (CB1R), in the cerebral. This finding was consistently verified through western blot analysis, revealing a substantial reduction in CB1R content. Additionally, a significant decrease in the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol was observed in the cerebral cortex. Remarkably, administering the cannabinoid receptor agonist Win55-212-2 significantly alleviated the anxiety-like behavior, and the cannabinoid receptor antagonist AM251 effectively counteracted the anti-anxiety effects of Win55-212-2. In summary, our research confirmed that dual-frequency EMR is more likely to induce anxiety-like behavior in mice than single-frequency EMR, with implications for the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and the endocannabinoid system. Furthermore, our findings suggest that Win55-212-2 may represent a novel avenue for researching and developing anti-EMR drugs.