Biochemical alterations in cerebellum of Swiss albino mice after 10 GHz microwave exposure

Animals of 6-8 weeks of age from an inbred colony were selected and were divided into 2 groups- (i) sham exposed (without energizing the system) (ii) microwave exposed (for 30 days - 2hours/day). The mice were exposed to 10 GHz microwaves daily for 2 hours per day for 30 days with a power density 0.25 mW/cm2 (milliwatt per centimetre square) and an average whole body specific absorption rate (SAR) was calculated (0.1790 W/Kg). After the exposure period the animals were sacrificed at all follow up intervals viz., 1-30 and cerebellum was excised to study various biochemical parameters (Lipid peroxidation- LPO, Protein) and antioxidant enzyme activity (Superoxide dismutase-SOD, Catalase- CAT and Glutathione-GSH), were estimated. Lipid peroxidation significantly increased at the autopsy intervals with depletion in protein content of the brain after microwave exposure whereas significant decrease in antioxidant enzyme activity of SOD and GSH with increased Catalase. Free radicals causing oxidative stress may be responsible for altered biochemical levels of the brain of Swiss albino mice after microwave exposure.