Low intensity microwave radiation effects on the ultrastructure of Chang liver cells

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · Exp. Cell Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0014-4827(89)90229-2· OSTI ID:6440041

Dwivedi, R S; Dwivedi, U; Chiang, B

Chang liver cells (CCL-13 ATCC) exposed to 2450 MHz microwaves of field intensities ranging from 5 to 20 mW/cm2 for different periods up to 2 h show distinct alterations in the cytomembrane ultrastructure. A 30-min exposure of 10 mW/cm2 produces well-defined cytoplasmic lesions which appear as clear areas of degenerated rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER). Extensive degeneration of RER along with fragmentation and vacuolation, disorganization of mitochondrial membranes and matrix, increased lysosomal activity, and in some cases disruptions of nuclear membrane are seen in longer exposures. Radiation at 20 mW/cm2 produces significant damage to cell membranes in short exposures and treatments of 30 min and longer exposures lead to total disruption of organized cell ultrastructure. The identity of many organelles is lost as the cells become highly heteropycnotic with numerous cytoplasmic projections. Short exposures of 5 mW/cm2 produce very few noticeable differences in ultrastructure. These results confirm earlier observations that membranes may be the primary targets of microwave radiation in cells.

• Research Organization: Howard Univ., Washington, DC (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6440041
• Journal Information: Exp. Cell Res.; (United States), Vol. 180:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
LIVER CELLS
ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHANGES
MICROWAVE RADIATION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CELL MEMBRANES
CHROMATIN
ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM
ANIMAL CELLS
CELL CONSTITUENTS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
MEMBRANES
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
ORGANOIDS
RADIATIONS
SOMATIC CELLS
560400* - Other Environmental Pollutant Effects