Microwaves and cellular immunity II. Immunostimulating effects of microwaves and naturally occurring antioxidant nutrients

The effect of 8.15-18 GHz (1 Hz within) microwave radiation at a power dens ity of 1 muW/cm(2) on the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production and immune response was tested. A single 5 h whole-body exposure induced a significan t increase in TNF production in peritoneal macrophages and splenic T cells. The mitogenic response in T lymphocytes increased after microwave exposure . The activation of cellular immunity was observed within 3 days after expo sure. The diet containing lipid-soluble nutrients (beta -carotene, alpha -t ocopherol and ubiquinone Q(9)) increased the activity of macrophages and T cells from irradiated mice. These results demonstrate that irradiation with low-power density microwaves stimulates the immune potential of macrophage s and T cells, and the antioxidant treatment enhances the effect of microwa ves, in particular at later terms, when the effect of irradiation is reduce d. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.