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Inhibitory action of microwave radiation on gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity in liver of rats treated with hydrocortisone.

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Olchowik G, Maj JG · 2000

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Millimeter wave radiation blocked normal liver enzyme responses in rats at power levels comparable to some wireless device exposures.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed rats to millimeter wave radiation at 53.57 GHz for 60 days while treating them with hydrocortisone, a steroid that normally increases liver enzyme activity. The microwave radiation blocked this expected enzyme increase in a dose-dependent manner, with stronger radiation causing greater interference. This suggests that millimeter wave exposure can disrupt normal cellular processes in the liver, potentially affecting how the organ responds to hormones and medications.

Why This Matters

This study reveals how microwave radiation can interfere with fundamental cellular processes, specifically blocking the liver's normal response to hormonal signals. The frequency tested (53.57 GHz) falls within the millimeter wave spectrum increasingly used in 5G networks and emerging wireless technologies. What makes this research particularly significant is that it demonstrates biological effects at power densities as low as 1 mW/cm2, which are within ranges that people might encounter from wireless devices. The fact that radiation prevented the liver from responding normally to hydrocortisone suggests these exposures could potentially interfere with how our bodies process medications or respond to natural hormones. While this was an animal study with specific experimental conditions, it adds to the growing body of evidence that millimeter wave radiation produces measurable biological effects at cellular levels.

Exposure Details

Power Density
10 , 1 µW/m²
Source/Device
53.57 GHz
Exposure Duration
60 days

Exposure Context

This study used 10 , 1 µW/m² for radio frequency:

Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 10 , 1 µW/m²Extreme Concern - 1,000 uW/m2FCC Limit - 10M uW/m2Effects observed in the Slight Concern rangeFCC limit is 10,000,000x higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 53.57 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 53.57 GHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

The influence of microwave irradiation on the activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) induced by hydrocortisone (HC) in the liver of rats was investigated.

Animals were subjected to microwave irradiation (frequency 53.57 GHz, power density 10 mW/cm2 and 1 ...

The results indicate that microwave radiation may block an inducible effect of HC on GGT activity in...

Cite This Study
Olchowik G, Maj JG (2000). Inhibitory action of microwave radiation on gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity in liver of rats treated with hydrocortisone. Folia Histochem Cytobiol 38(4):189-191, 2000.
Show BibTeX
@article{g_2000_inhibitory_action_of_microwave_1240,
  author = {Olchowik G and Maj JG},
  title = {Inhibitory action of microwave radiation on gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity in liver of rats treated with hydrocortisone.},
  year = {2000},
  
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/med/11185725},
}
PubMed: 11185725

Cited By (1 paper)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, research shows millimeter wave radiation at 53.57 GHz can disrupt liver enzyme activity. A 2000 study found this radiation blocked normal hormone responses in rat livers, with stronger radiation causing greater interference with cellular processes.
Studies suggest millimeter wave frequencies used in 5G can affect liver function. Research on 53.57 GHz radiation showed it prevented normal enzyme increases in rat livers, indicating potential disruption of how the liver responds to hormones and medications.
Research indicates microwave radiation may interfere with normal liver function. A study found 53.57 GHz exposure blocked expected enzyme activity increases in rats, suggesting this radiation can disrupt cellular processes that help the liver respond to hormones.
EMF exposure can interfere with how organs process hormones. Research showed millimeter wave radiation at 53.57 GHz blocked the liver's normal response to hydrocortisone, a steroid hormone, in a dose-dependent manner over 60 days of exposure.
Millimeter wave radiation may disrupt normal liver enzyme function rather than cause direct damage. A 2000 study found 53.57 GHz exposure prevented expected increases in liver enzyme activity, potentially affecting how the organ processes hormones and medications.