Effect of Low level Microwave Radiation on Growth Related Enzymes of Developing Rats Brain

摘要

Present investigations are aimed at investigating the effect of low level modulated microwave radiations on the developing rat brain. Thirty days old Wistar rats were selected for the study. These rats were divided in to two groups, control and experimental. The control groups were sham irradiated for 2 hrs /day for 35days, whereas the experimental groups were exposed to 9.9 GHz (square wave modulated, 1 kHz) 2 hrs /day for 35 days at power level 0.125 mW/cm~2 (SAR 0.1 W/kg). The exposure was carried out in an especially designed anechoic chamber. Whole brain was dissected out and biochemical assays were performed separately after the exposure period (35 days). Radioactive chemicals such as ~(14)C ornithine and ~(32)ATP were used for estimation of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and calcium dependent protein kinase (PKC) activity respectively. We observed a significant increase in the activity of ornithine decarboxylase in the exposed group as compared to their control counterparts On the other hand in the case of calcium dependent protein kinase, statistically significant decrease in the activity was observed. It is inferred that prolonged exposure to these radiations causes significant alteration in the brain tissue, suggesting a transductive coupling .to the cytoplasm. Since these enzymes are involved in cell proliferation (ODC) and phosphorylation (PKC), any alteration in their activity may lead to abnormality in the growth related processes.