M. A.Aweda, 1R. O. K. Meindinyo, S. O. Gbenebitse and A. Z. Ibitoye
Effects of 2.45 GHz Microwaves (MW) exposures on the blood pressure and heart pulse rate (PR) in Wistar rats have been studied using a non-invasive technique with a polygraph blood pressure (BP) recorder and MW radiation generator model ER6660E from Toshiba UK Ltd. BP and PR in rats were monitored for a period of 8 weeks post-irradiation. The MW exposures caused an increases in the values of parameters from the normal mean of 123.0 ± 1.2 mmHg and 430 ± 2.0 beats per minute (BPM) to a maximum of 145.0 ± 5.0 mmHg and 480.0 ± 6.8 BPM within the first 2 h, and then gradually reduced to normal values after about a week. 4 mgkg-1 body weight of ascorbic acid administered 4 days pre-irradiation caused a decrease in the values of these parameters to a minimum of 128.0 ± 0.4 mmHg and 440.0 ± 1.8 BPM within the first day. The results showed that MW exposures cause significant increase in the BP and PR. They also demonstrate the protective effect of the administered anti-oxidants, vitamins C and E. The changes in the BP and PR are attributed to N2O3 inhibition by free radicals produced by the MW interactions while the antioxidant may have suppressed these harmful effects by scavenging some of the free radicals.
