Effects of Long-Term Exposure to L-Band High-Power Microwave on the Brain Function of Male Mice

Abstract

Currently, the impact of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure on the nervous system is an increasingly arousing public concern. The present study was designed to explore the effects of continuous long-term exposure to L-band high-power microwave (L-HPM) on brain function and related mechanisms. Forty-eight male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were exposed to L-HPM at various power densities (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 W/m2) and the brain function was examined at different time periods after exposure. The morphology of the brain was examined by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining. Furthermore, cholinergic markers, oxidative stress markers, and the expression of c-fos were evaluated to identify a “potential” mechanism. The results showed that exposure to L-HPM at 1.5 W/m2 can cause generalized injuries in the hippocampus (CA1 and CA3) and cerebral cortex (the first somatosensory cortex) of mice, including cell apoptosis, cholinergic dysfunction, and oxidative damage. Moreover, the deleterious effects were closely related to the power density and exposure time, indicating that long-term and high-power density exposure may be detrimental to the nervous system.

The Biological Effects of Compound Microwave Exposure with 2.8 GHz and 9.3 GHz on Immune System: Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analysis

“…Electromagnetic field radiation, including microwaves, has been classified as a new form of environment pollution that is “possibly carcinogenic to humans” [ 20 ]. Until now, most of the studies have focused on the biological effects and potential mechanisms induced by single-frequency microwaves at the indicated average power density [ 2 , 3 , 21 , 22 ]. However, people are commonly exposed to complex environments with different types of microwaves in daily life.…”

“…Recent years, the biological effects induced by long-term exposure to microwave has been attracting more and more attentions. Our group and others reported that long-term exposure to S band, L band or 900 MHz microwave caused significant pathological injuries in brain and impaired the spatial learning and memory ability [ 2 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ]. Studies also reported that 900 MHz microwave, a classical mobile phone radiation, could disrupt the integrity of blood-brain barrier in rats [ 42 ].…”

“…Moreover, the nervous system, cardiovascular system, immune and hematologic systems, and skin are frequently affected [ 1 ]. The biological effects of microwaves with different frequencies, power densities, and duration periods have been widely investigated in the nervous systems [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Moreover, several potential mechanisms were also demonstrated both in vivo and in vitro [ 5 , 6 ].…”

Accumulative Effects of Multifrequency Microwave Exposure with 1.5 GHz and 2.8 GHz on the Structures and Functions of the Immune System

“…Microwave-induced increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is another pivotal mechanism for microwave-biological system interaction [ 8 ]. Studies have demonstrated that microwave-induced biological effects are associated with the frequency, power density, and duration of exposure [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Due to the complex environment of the electromagnetic field in our daily life, people are always exposed to microwaves with different parameters.…”