Observations on the Fine Structure of Giant Mast Cells Produced by Microwave Radiation of the Peritoneal Fluid
Esko J. Valtonen · 1967
Five minutes of 80 W microwave radiation produced giant, swollen mast cells in the peritoneal fluid of rats.
Plain English Summary
Researchers irradiated rats with microwaves (5 minutes, 80 W, frequency of 2,425 ± 25 megacycles) and examined mast cells from the peritoneal fluid under an electron microscope. The microwaves produced giant mast cells with swollen cytoplasm, wider spacing between granules and partial disappearance of the granules. This 1967 study shows that a 5-minute microwave exposure can produce significant structural changes in rat mast cells.
Why This Matters
This early research from 1967 reports that microwave radiation can alter mast cells at the cellular level. Rats irradiated for 5 minutes at 80 W and examined three hours later had giant mast cells in the peritoneal fluid, with all granules remaining inside the cells and no signs of disruption. The researcher could not determine whether the formation of giant mast cells is reversible.
Finding
The most obvious feature of the giant mast cell is the swelling of the cytoplasm. The features of the giant mast. cell appeared to be abundant swelling of the cytoplasm, which increased the distance between the granules, and the partial disappearance of the granules. Disruption of the mast. cells, with escape of the granules, was not observed.
In their words
“The most obvious feature of the giant mast cell is the swelling of the cytoplasm. The features of the giant mast. cell appeared to be abundant swelling of the cytoplasm, which increased the distance between the granules, and the partial disappearance of the granules. Disruption of the mast. cells, with escape of the granules, was not observed.”
Show BibTeX
@article{observations_on_the_fine_structure_of_giant_mast_cells_produced_by_microwave_rad_g5149,
author = {Esko J. Valtonen},
title = {Observations on the Fine Structure of Giant Mast Cells Produced by Microwave Radiation of the Peritoneal Fluid},
year = {1967},
}