Radiofrequency radiation alters the immune system: modulation of T- and B-lymphocyte levels and cell-mediated immunocompetence by hyperthermic radiation. [26 MHz; 2/sup 0/C increase in core temperature of mice]

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Radiat. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3575075· OSTI ID:6368408

Liburdy, R P

Acute transient lymphopenia in the mouse was induced by whole-body exposure to radiofrequency radiation (RFR) (26 MHz, 2/sup 0/C increase in core temperature over 15 min). Mice experiencing RFR-induced lymphopenia showed a relative increase in splenic T- ad B-lymphocytes; these elevated levels were further pronounced by three RFR exposures delivered at 3-hr intervals. Multiple RFR exposures also led to a significant decrease in thymic weight and thymic and splenic cell density and, moreover, to suppressed cell-mediated immune function as measured in vivo by local delayed-type hypersensitivity. Only splenic B-lymphocyte levels were elevated with no change in delayed hypersensitivity in warm air-exposed mice (2/sup 0/C increase in core temperature over 15 min). Plasma corticoid levels immediately after RFR treatment were severalfold higher than those in mice given warm air or sham exposure. Notably, administration of methyl prednisolone sodium succinate to control animals led to lymphopenia, increased splenic T- and B-lymphocyte frequency, and thymic involution that was oserved in RFR exposed animals. These results indicate that RFR hyperthermia can induce significant alterations in lymphocyte distribution and function and that RFR impact on the immune apparatus appears to be mediated at the cellular level indirectly through steroid-associated actions.

• Research Organization: USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks AFB, TX
• OSTI ID: 6368408
• Journal Information: Radiat. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Radiat. Res.; (United States) Vol. 77:1; ISSN RAREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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560400* -- Other Environmental Pollutant Effects
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BLOOD
BLOOD CELLS
BODY
BODY FLUIDS
BODY TEMPERATURE
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
DATA
DATA FORMS
DISEASES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GRAPHS
HEMIC DISEASES
HYPERTHERMIA
IMMUNE REACTIONS
IMMUNOSUPPRESSION
INFORMATION
LEUKOCYTES
LEUKOPENIA
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM
LYMPHOCYTES
LYMPHOPENIA
MAMMALS
MEDIUM TEMPERATURE
MICE
MICROWAVE RADIATION
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RODENTS
SOMATIC CELLS
SPLEEN
SYMPTOMS
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
THYMUS
VERTEBRATES