Induction of adaptive response in mice exposed to 900MHz radiofrequency fields: application of micronucleus assay.

Adult male ICR mice were pre-exposed to non-ionizing radiofrequency fields (RF), 900MHz at 120μW/cm(2) power density for 4h/day for 7 days (adaptation dose, AD) and then subjected to an acute whole body dose of 3Gy γ-radiation (challenge dose, CD). The classical micronucleus (MN) assay was used to determine the extent of genotoxicity in immature erythrocytes in peripheral blood and bone marrow. The data obtained in mice exposed to AD+CD were compared with those exposed to CD alone. The results indicated that in both tissues, the MN indices were similar in un-exposed controls and those exposed to AD alone while a significantly increased MN frequency was observed in mice exposed to CD alone. Exposure of mice to AD+CD resulted in a significant decrease in MN indices compared to those exposed to CD alone. Thus, the data suggested that pre-exposure of mice to non-ionizing RF is capable of 'protecting' the erythrocytes in the blood and bone marrow from genotoxic effects of subsequent γ-radiation. Such protective phenomenon is generally described as 'adaptive response' (AR) and is well documented in human and animal cells which were pre-exposed to very low doses of ionizing radiation. It is interesting to observe AR being induced by non-ionizing RF.