Effect of Microwave Radiation (2450 MHz) on the Active and Passive Components of 24 Na + Efflux from Human Erythrocytes

We report an effect of low-level 2450-MHz microwaves on total and ouabain-sensitive ²⁴ Na⁺ flux from human erythrocytes. Erythrocytes washed and loaded with ²⁴ Na⁺ were exposed at an absorption rate of 2.0-3.0 mW/ml suspension in a waveguide system under temperature-controlled conditions for 1 or 2 hr. Experiments were run in parallel, with exposed and shamirradiated (control) samples, at various temperatures between 7 and 35°C. Continuous-wave electromagnetic radiation at 2450 MHz has a significant effect on ²⁴ Na⁺ efflux, but only in the temperature range 22-25°C. Total efflux increases an average of 23%; this is the result of an increase in the ouabain-insensitive component (mean, 33%) and a decrease in the ouabain-sensitive portion (mean, 18%). These results indicate increased passive Na+ efflux and decreased ATPase-mediated Na+ efflux in erythrocytes exposed to low-level microwaves at 22-25°C.