Low power density microwave radiation induced early changes in rabbit lens epithelial cells.

Ye J, Yao K, Lu D, Wu R, Jiang H

Chin Med J (Engl) 114(12):1290-1294, 2001

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether low power density microwave radiation can induce irreversible changes in rabbit lens epithelial cells (LECs) and the mechanisms of the changes.

METHODS: One eye of each rabbit was exposed to 5 mW/cm² or 10 mW/cm² power density microwaves for 3 hours, while the contralateral eye served as a control. Annexin V-propidium iodide (PI) two-color flow cytometry (FCM) was used to detect the early changes in rabbit lens epithelial cells after radiation.

RESULTS: Lots of rabbit LECs were in the initial phase of apoptosis in the 5 mW/cm² microwave radiation group. A large number of cells became secondary necrotic cells, and severe damage could be found in the group exposed to 10 mW/cm² microwave radiation.

CONCLUSION: Low power densities of microwave radiation (5 mW/cm² and 10 mW/cm2) can induce irreversible damage to rabbit LECs. This may be the non-thermal effect of microwave radiation.