This paper presents the results of a replication study performed to investigate earlier Soviet studies conducted between 1974 and 1991 that showed immunological and reproductive effects of long-term low-level exposure of rats to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields. The early studies were used, in part, for developing exposure standards for the USSR population and thus it was necessary to confirm the Russian findings. In the present study, the conditions of RF exposure were made as similar as possible to those in the earlier experiments: Wistar rats were exposed in the far field to 2450 MHz continuous wave RF fields with an incident power density in the cages of 5 W/m² for 7 h/day, 5 days/week for a total of 30 days, resulting in a whole-body SAR of 0.16 W/kg. Effects of the exposure on immunological parameters in the brain and liver of rats were evaluated using the complement fixation test (CFT), as in the original studies, and an additional test, the more modern ELISA test. Our results, using CFT and ELISA, partly confirmed the findings of the early studies and indicated possible effects from non-thermal RF exposure on autoimmune processes. The RF exposure resulted in minor increases in formation of antibodies in brain tissue extract and the exposure did not appear to be pathological. In addition, a study was conducted to replicate a previous Soviet study on effects from the injection of blood serum from RF-exposed rats on pregnancy and foetal and offspring development of rats, using a similar animal model and protocol. Our results showed the same general trends as the earlier study, suggesting possible adverse effects of the blood serum from exposed rats on pregnancy and foetal development of intact rats, however, application of these results in developing exposure standards is limited.
The products of radiolysis released from cellular compartment under the influence of ionizing radiation: highly mobile groups of proteins, damaged nuclear and mitochondrial DNA, extracellular ATP and oxidized low density lipoproteins, cause stress activation in irradiated tissues through a pattern of the receptors with start of the cascade r53 and NF-κB of pro-inflammatory ways conducting to an expression of pro-inflammatory genes stimulating synthesis of cytokines of the IL-1 family. Excessive activation of pro-inflammatory way under the influence of a radioactive stress is limited to synthesis, anti-inflammatory cytokines: IL-4, IL-10, IL-11, IL-13 and also antagonists of IL-1 receptor and TGF-β. G-CSF and MG-CSF induced by action of pro-inflammatory cytokines have anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties decreasing level of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF. Glucocorticoids participate in regulation of primary radioactive stress, suppressing an excessive expression of genes of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Increased IL-1 level stimulates secretion of corticosteroids through mechanism of feedback. Adrenergic stimulation is capable to raise a gene IL-1β expression. The mechanism of radiation apoptosis of stem cells is implemented through p53-Puma way which blocks interaction anti-apoptotic proteins of Bcl-2 with pro-apoptotic proteins of Bax and Bak. After release from mitochondrion of cytochrome C and apoptosis-inducing factor there is an activation of effector caspases: caspases 3, 6 and 7 through caspase 9, and final cell destruction. Wnt way is crucial for post-radiation repair. Potential of the regenerative response of hemopoietic tissue to radiation injury depends on catenin and ability of Wnt way to stimulate post-radiation bone marrow reparation. Mesenchymal stem cells of bone marrow play a large role in post-radiation regeneration of hemopoietic tissue. Their main action is carried out through TLR2 and TLR4 receptors. Mobilization of hemopoietic stem cells is bound to release proteases from bone marrow, including neutrophil elastase and cathepsin G, and a matrix metalproteinase-9. Radioprotective properties of exogenous IL-1 aren’t limited only by induction of raised G-CSF and GM-CSF production. The larger role in radiation protection is played by the reaction induced by IL-1 in the form of feedback with production anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory factors. Primary radioactive stress limits time of radiomitigable effect of IL-1 by 1-2 h after its application after radiation.
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