EFFECT OF SUPERHIGH-FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION ON ELECTROPHORETIC MOBILITY OF ERYTHROCYTES

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• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88B01125R000300120009-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 10, 2012
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: March 16, 1976
• Content Type: REPORT

[Article by E. Sh. Ismailov, Dagestan Polytechnical Institute, Makhachkala,
'submitted 16 Mar 76]
(Text] Changes in electrophoretic mobility (EM),have been
demonstrated in human erythrocytes under the influence of
superhigh-frequency (SHF) electromagnetic radiation in
the 1009 MHz range; they are related to the duration and
intensity of-irradiation. These changes are attributable
to two causes: deformation of the double electrical layer
and structural changes in the erythrocyte membrane, which are
the consequence of phasic change in structured (cross-linked)
membrane fluid into a more liquid state. The EM changes are
reversible.
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EFFECT OF SUPERHIGH-FREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION ON ELECTROPHORETIC
MOBILITY OF ERYTHROCYTES
Moscow BIOFIZIKA in Russian-Vol 22, No. 3, 1977 pp 493-498
With each year, there is an appreciable increase in amount of research
dealing. with biological activity of SHF electromagnetic radiation. This
is due to the need to protect people from occupational and nonoccupational
exposure to SHF fields, as well as the desire to upgrade SHF methods that
are used in biology and medicine. The experimental data indicate that SHP
radiation, of both thermal and nonthermal intensity, elicits numerous
changes in various tissues and organs of man, and*animals [1, 2]. The
effect of.SHF waves is manifested in offspring (3].
At the same time, there are still very few studies being pursued for
demonstration of the primary mechanisms of the observed effects of SHF.
With reference to the physicochemical mechanisms of biological activity of
SHF waves, the potential change in structure and. function of cell membranes
under the influence of SHF radiation should be considered one of the focal
questions. We previously obtained direct experimental data on the effects,
of SHF waves on permeability of human erythrocyte membranes to potassium
and sodium ions [4]. Exposure of a suspension of erythrocytes to 45 mW/cm'
SHF radiation in the range of. 1009 MHz elicited an increase in amount of
potassium ions a
d d
n
ecrease in sodium ions in'the incubation medium,'as
compared to the control, i.e., there was a decrease in the concentration
L
ILLEGIBF
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gradient of these ions on the membrane. Exposure of erythrocyte suspension
hasfalsondemonstrated
to SHF waves combined with the?membranee faster
potassium and sodium through e
a change in transport of these ions in human er throtytes undercthefinfluencer
of SHF waves. We should mention the recently demons eff'
radiowaves on the membrane of rabbit liver idative?phosphorylatioae[6]d by
the dissociating effect of SHF
eecharge
temperature, whichpH
As we know, the membrane structure determines itsasurface
electrophoretic mobility (EM) of cells depend,
and with unchanged ionic force dviscosity
determineethe Eient M ofserythrocytese
objective of the work in question was in intensity and duration.
under the influence of UHF radiation varying
Methods and Techniques
d by three-fold removal
A suspension of stored human erythrocytes was prepare glucose
(pH 7.4), where the cell
of plasma in isotonic phosphate buffer
were exposed to 1009 MHz micro-
content constituted about 5 million mZ. They g waves in a coaxial cell at a constant temperature (37?C)susin a gsio s special lry-
device that has been described previously (7]. Control of the throcytes were kept at 37?C in anincubator uwasgd lutedz103afold inzphos-
After irradiation, the erythrocyte suspension
capillary
phase buffer, and EM of cells was e~Thedtechni4ueszforaelectrophoresis
by the method of microelectroPhoresis
of of Rharmonenko and Rakityanskaya [8].
blood are described in the monograph We determined EM immediately after irradiation, then every 10 min for 90 min.
Results
The EM of intact erythrocytes (control) rather course of
e
the observation riod (90 min) and are in .0.04.10-4 cm2 V-%-I, which is consistent with the literature [9]. The EM
immed mediately cul V-1 -,
of erythrocytes exposed to 45.mW/cm SHFOfor.10' min is higher
rol
after exposure, and it constitutes 1.
followed by a phase of decline. .In the 60th min. EM reaches the cont
level. Thereafter, there is a decline of EM to 1.22?0.02alrisecto Vhe?s 1,
which is appreciably lower than in the control, an then
'control level by the 80th min.
re 1 illustrates EM changes in irradiated erythrocytes during and after
Figu
irradiation.
Table 1 lists the values of EM of irradiated as function
of d data in
of duration of OF irradiation at an changes in EX of erythrocytes during
this table indicate that the general
and after 15-min exposure to SHF are the same
change in EM in the positive ex-
50 min
posure. However, with regard to absolute
direction, as compared to the control, it is less
declines compared
of observation. In addition, there is virtually so
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*of to the control in the 70th min. A
after irradiation. min
tesuimmediatelg exposure
results in a normal EM of eryY
then increases, reaching a maximum by the 30th min, then decreases again
to the control level. Here, too, there is no phase of decline of EM in the
70th min, as compared to the control.
Figure 1.
Change in electrophoretic mobility of
erythrocytes as function of time, follow-
4" 30-min exposure to 45 mW/cm3 SHF..
The striped area refers to EM of intact
erythrocytes.
X-axis, time after irradiation (t, min).
Table 1. Electrophoretic mobility ofterythrocytes
times`thereafter) with
exposure to 45 mW/cm 3 SUP,. a
I .. t-1 Interv l bed-i Exposure time, min
? tw en ]r a
ation b ECM is
reading, min
;y0 04 t 20?-0,02, . ...
330 03-
0:.
;,K ::?.?... ' 4.4 ?0,0' 1,0&0,02 1.3?0,04
:.. 10 i.51 0 02 i 3=G,03 1,3710,03.
... '? 20 ,
02.-.
390
1
values of EM of erythrocytes after exposure to SHF for 4 min are of
The
interest: Immediately after exposure, the EM of irradiated erythrocytes
is lower than in the control. It then increases and is higher than the
control in the 30th min of observation, then drops to virtually the control
level by the 40th min.
we observe dissimilar changes in EM of erythrocytes, and even changes
Thus,
in is different directions, depending on the dosage of SHF radiation. Such
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I
? ,,~_o,e~ - X0'03
.y; '0 i.31=0,03 - f,27=0,02 i,..._ ,
.p ? t,25~0,02 i,_3=0,GS 1,3..`0,02
,
,
:?'S0 ?2 ::... r' ~':, 1,45.=0,02 t,33:!:0.02 1,.'.'.10,03
40 1 "-&-A AA I-
0 03
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changes can be explained on the basis of the assumption that they are induced
by two superimposed processes: deformation of the double electrical layer
(DEL) on the cell surface and some possible structural changes in the membrane
proper; leading to a change in amount of potential-forming ionizing groups on
its surface. The former process leads to compression of DEL and, accordingly,
a decrease in EM of erythrocytes. The latter process, conversely, elicits
appearance on the membrane surface'of an additional amount of potential-forming
ions and, as a result, increase the E24 of the cells. Both processes are
reversible. The thickness of the DEL is restored sooner (20-30 min after
discontinuing irradiation). At first, the drop of surface charge of erythro-
cytes proceeds slowly and then, after the 30th min, rather rapidly, so that
EM is normalized within 50-60 min after exposure to SH. Figure 2 illustrates
the curve of EM as function of postradiation time, which is plotted in two
components.
'. `.;:'.y. :~ :~0.....:. 60?'. min.
Figure 2.
Separation of EM--postradiation time
(curve'3) into two components:
1) curve of EM change due to de-
formation of DEL; 2) curve of EM
change due to possible structural
changes in the membrane. Striped
area refers to EM values for
intact erythrocytes
? . li mW[cros' ' ? . . ' .
Figure 3. ?
Change in EN of .erythrocytes due to
deformation of DEL (curve 2) and
possible structural changes in the
membrane (curve 1) as function of
intensity of SHF radiation. Striped
area refers to EM values for intact
erythrocytes. X-axis, intensity of
SHF radiation (I, mW/cm3)
The small phase of decrease of EM,as compared-to the control, in the 70th
min of observation, demonstrated in the case of 30--min exposure to SHF, is
attributable, in our opinion, to regulator processes in the cell membrane,
which lead to restoration of normal EM. In the case of substantial
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 The EM changes as function of time can be explained, in this instance too,
from the standpoint of the existence of two SHF effects in different direc-
tions, which we mentioned above.
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. ,.
. .E
f,20 0,02
!,221?0,03
i,20 0,03
! ,32?Q,03
?d.?4?' .~- ?i: ~. i'r? i. .'~ , .y'~ ... .. .. . . '.- _
On the assumption that, for the first 20-30 min,.the change in EM as func-
tion of time is due mainly to restoration of initial DEL, the following
can be estimated from the data in Table 2: deformation (compression) of
DEL under the influence SHF waves depends little on intensity of radiation.
and has a threshold in the range of 1-3 mW/cm3. The decrease in EM of
cells induced by reduction [compression] of DEL constitutes 0.14+0.18.10-ycm2
V-ls 1. The second process, the change in charge of the membrane surface,
is directly related to intensity of the SHF field, and it is virtually
undemonstrable at low intesities (less than 5-7 mW/cm3). With increase in
intensity, EM first increases more rapidly, then more slowly, presenting a
tendency toward saturation. Figure 3 illustrates changes in EM as function
of. deformation of DEL and possible structural changes in erythrocyte membranes.
Two main processes occur in a biological medium under the influence of SHF
fields: relaxation oscillations of dipole molecules of water causing di-
eletric loss of SHF energy, and oscillations of free charges, which elicit
loss of conduction. As a result, SHF energy is transformed into thermal
energy and raises the temperature of the medium. Depending on the microwave
changes, restoration of normal charge of the membrane surface occurs
under over-regulation, and this elicits the EM change in question.
Curves 1 and 2, and Table 1 also indicate that deformation of DEL and
the change in charge of the surface of erythrocyte membranes are dissi-
milarly related to SHF dosage. For better demonstration of this function
we studied the dynamics of change in EM of erythrocytes as function of time
after exposure to SHF radiation varying in intensity but for the same
period of time (30 min). The results obtained are listed in Table 2.
Table 2. EM of erythrocytes (10-4 cm2 V-1s-1) in the case of exposure to
different intensities of SHF radiation for 30 min
.Interval between -,'Radiation intensity, mW/cm3
:end of irradiation '
EM re*ading,min
so
36?0,02
f;2C=0,04 ?, .
1.!2?0,03
? 04
.
1,32?0,04
l; 22=0,02
20
,
164?0,03' ?.
1,37?0,02
1,27?0,04
/%_0,03
-'_ 1,
,1; 0_0,03
l.0?0,02
1,34?0,02
1,2O?0,0.
50
!.31-??0,030
? 1,23=0,03
CO
1,21?0,03
70
1,25?0,02
1.?^=0,03
1,2 ?0,04
1,32=0,02
1,32?0,03.. ?.
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frequency, the share of each of these types of loss varies, since dielectric
loss increases with increase in frequency. If the biological medium were
homogeneous, the only effect of SHF radiation should be to lower the tempera-
ture of the system, i.e., it would be a thermaleffect._ But, in actuality,
the situation is more complicated.
Thanks to the research of recent years, the important role of hydrophobic
interactions has been demonstrated in stabilization of structures of the
cell membrane [10, 11]. Evidently, with a change in degree of structuriza-
tion and amount of structurized water, the membrane becomes destablized and
protein-lipid interaction will be impaired.
As far back as the 1950's [12, 13], it was shown that the characteristic
frequency of structurized fluid is in the SHF.range. In such water, there
will be more dielectric loss of SHF energy than in ordinary water. Most
probably, these losses will induce phasic change in structurized water and,
accordingly, could lead to conformational changes in the membrane macro-
molecules, which we have already reported [14]. At the same time, the
concentration of ions in the first layer of DEL gegenions [counterions].
is appreciably higher in the immediate vicinity of the membrane surface than
in the rest of the extracellular and intracellular fluid. Consequently,
the, relative share of loss of conduction would also be higher near the
membrane surface. On the whole, both near the surface and in the membrane
proper, considerably more SHF energy will be absorbed than the average for
the entire medium. This energy is partially. dissipated, leading to a
general change in temperature of the system, while part is expended for
destruction of hydrate membranes of the ionized membrane surface, as well
as phasic change in structurized "hydrophobic" water within the membrane into
a more liquid state.
In erythrocytes, the surface charge of membranes is determined primarily
by the rather markedly ionized phosphate groups of oriented polar molecules
of phospholipids, which form the lipid layer, as well as ionized groups of
proteins. The partially negative charges of phosphate groups are shielded
by the positively charged groups of protein molecules. The extent of
shielding depends on protein-lipid interaction. Cousequently,.the surface
charge of the membrane is a function of two interrelated factors: conforma-
tion of protein molecules and extent of protein-lipiid interaction,' from the
standpoint of reciprocal orientation of their ionizes groups. In our
opinion, compression of erythrocyte DEL occurs as a result of "melting" of
the hydrate membranes of ionized groups on the membrane, while the change
in charge of the membrane surface results from possible conformational
changes in protein molecules and impairment of protein-lipid interaction.
..Both these processes are reversible under ordinary conditions.
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i BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Presman, A. S., "Electromagnetic Fields and Living Nature," Moscow,
"Nauka," 1968.
o
2. Minin, B. A., "Ultrahigh-Frequency Waves and Safety for Man,"
I'Sov. radio," Moscow, 1974.
3. Scott, J., MICROWAVE J., No 1, 9, 1971.
4. Ismailov, E. Sh., NAUCHNYYE DOKLADY SHKOLY, BI L. NAUKI
[Scientific Papers of Higher
Sciences], 3, 58, 1971.
.5. Shtemler, V. M. in: "Gigiyena truda i biologicheskoye deystviye
elektromagnitnykh voln radiochastot" (Industrial Hygiene and Biological
Effects of Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Waves], Moscow, 63, 1972.
6. Zubkova, S. N.; Zhuravlev, A. I.; and Grigor'yeva, V. D. Ibid, 68,
1972.
7. Ismailov, E. Sh. in: "Voprosy fiziologii, biokhimii, zoologii i
parazitologii" [Problems of Physiology, Biochemistry, Zoology and
Parasitology], Makhachkala, 4, 90, 1970.
8. Kharamonenko, S. S., and Rakityanskaya, A. A. "Electrophoresis of
Blood Cells Under Normal and Pathological Conditions," Minsk, "Belarus',",
1974.
9. Ponder, E., and Ponder, R. V. NATURE, 197, 4863, 178, 1963.
10. Borovyagin, V. L. "Cell Membranes," BIOFIZIKA [Biophysics], 16, 4,
746, 1971.
U. Singer, S. J., ANN. REV. BIOCHEM., 43,-805, 1974.
12. Schwan, H. ADV. BIOL. AND MED. PHYS., 5, 147, 1957.
13. Shvan, G.; and Gogel'khut, P. in: "SHP Energetics," Moscow, "Mir,"
3, 33, 1971.
14. Ismailov, E. Sh. "IV Mezhdunar. biofizich. kongress, tez. sekts4
soobshch." [Fourth International Biophysical Congress, Summaries of
Section Papers], Moscow, 4, 434, 1972.
COPYRIGHT: Izdatel'stvo "Nauka", "Biofizika", 1977
10,657
CSO: 8144
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