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Increased serum enzyme activity in microwave-exposed rats

Journal Article · · Radiat. Res.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3576174· OSTI ID:5652592
Heat stable serum enzymes were studied in rats exposed to microwaves (2.45 GHz, 120 Hz amplitude modulated) 24 hr after a single 4-hr exposure or immediately after 3 and 10 exposures to 0.1 to 55 mW/cm/sup 2/. In addition, stable colonic temperature at 41.5/sup 0/C for 30 min was maintained by microwave exposure in a group of five rats under barbiturate anesthesia. Alkaline phosphatase and lactic dehydrogenase did not increase as a result of microwave exposure. Increased serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) were noted in the 41.5/sup 0/C group 24 hr after exposure. A threshold body temperature for acute cellular injury after microwave exposure was demonstrated. The acute cellular injury could be in the liver. These mild elevations in the serum enzyme levels (mean +-SE, GOT = 167 +- 40 U/liter; GPT = 74 +- 26 U/liter) indicated that the injuries were not accompanied by any significant sequelae in the rat. From this threshold and colonic temperature (41.5/sup 0/C for 30 min) in barbiturate-anesthetized, miccrowave-exposed rats, we derived a tentative threshold for the whole-body average absorption rate at 14 W/kg (70 mW/cm/sup 2/ at 2.45 GHz for adult rats) for 4 hr. This tentative threshold is subject to changes by duration of exposure and by compounding variables influencing maintenance of body temperature.
Research Organization:
Univ. of Rochester, NY
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-76EV03490
OSTI ID:
5652592
Journal Information:
Radiat. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Radiat. Res.; (United States) Vol. 96:1; ISSN RAREA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English