Protective effects of hyperbaric oxygen on the brain damage induced by microwave radiation in rats

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Objective To investigate the protective effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on the brain damage induced by microwave radiation in rats. Methods The Wistar rats were exposed to microwave radiation at 30mW/cm2 and treated with HBO (1.6ATA) the next day after radiation, once a day, for a succession of 14 days. The abilities of learning and memory of rats were detected by Morris water maze, the changes in the histological structure of neurons in the hippocampus were observed under light microscopy. The Na+ -K+ -ATPase and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in cerebral tissues were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Seven days after exposure to microwave at 300 W/m2, the learning and memory abilities of the rats were decreased, with statistical significance (P<0.05). Pycnosis and nuclear hyperchromatism were seen in the neurons of hippocampus, with progressively aggravation, while the learning and memory abilities of the rats, as well as the neurons of the hippocampus in the treatment group were significantly improved, which was identical to those of the normal control group. Seven and 14 days after exposure to mircrowave radiation, the Na+ -K+ -ATPase activities were decreased and LDH activities were increased, also with statistical significance (P<0.05). Seven days after exposure, LDH activities were significantly decreased [(822.61±103.99) U/g vs (1 099.70±216.15)U/g], with statistical significance, when the treatment group was compared with the radiation group (P<0.05). Fourteen days after exposure, Na+ -K+ -ATPase activities were significantly increased [(13.89±2.75) mmol/g·h vs (9.07±0.76) mmol/g·h] , also with statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusions Radiation at a dosage of 30mW/cm2 could decline the abilities of learning and memory and bring about damage to the structure of hippocampus, resulting in energy metabolism disorder of the cerebral tissue. HBO treatment seemed to have a protective effect on the brain damage induced by microwave radiation. Key words: Hyperbaric oxygen; Microwave radiation; Brain damage; Energy metabolism