Autoradiographic analysis of protein synthesis and measurements of nuclear volume in WISH cell cultures irradiated with 3 GHz electromagnetic radiation

Abstract

WISH cell cultures were irradiated 24 h after passage with 3 GHz microwaves for 30 min at intensities of 5 or 20 mW cm-2. After times from exposure of 1, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h the cells were incubated with 5 mu Ci ml-2 or 3H-glycine and autoradiographs were made using stripping film. The incorporation of the amino acid was measured for four groups, 0-10, 10-20, 20-40 and above 40 grains per cell. Karyometric analysis of irradiated cell cultures was performed 1, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h after exposure. The results suggest that low intensity microwaves stimulate metabolism of cells grown in vitro, although at higher intensities the phase of stimulation is preceded by a short period of inhibition in the culture viability.