Current state and implications of research on biological effects of millimeter waves: a review of the literature.

In recent years, research into biological and medical effects of millimeter waves (MMW) has expanded greatly. This paper analyzes general trends in the area and briefly reviews the most significant publications, proceeding from cell-free systems, dosimetry, and spectroscopy issues through cultured cells and isolated organs to animals and humans. The studies reviewed demonstrate effects of low-intensity MMW (10 mW/cm2 and less) on cell growth and proliferation, activity of enzymes, state of cell genetic apparatus, function of excitable membranes, peripheral receptors, and other biological systems. In animals and humans, local MMW exposure stimulated tissue repair and regeneration, alleviated stress reactions, and facilitated recovery in a wide range of diseases (MMW therapy). Many reported MMW effects could not be readily explained by temperature changes during irradiation. The paper outlines some problems and uncertainties in the MMW research area, identifies tasks for future studies, and discusses possible implications for development of exposure safety criteria and guidelines.

[1]  J R Jauchem,et al.  Does nitric oxide mediate circulatory failure induced by 35-GHz microwave heating? , 1996, Shock.

[2]  Y. Akyel,et al.  Role of field intensity in the biological effectiveness of millimeter waves at a resonance frequency , 1997 .

[3]  H. Fröhlich,et al.  Biological coherence and response to external stimuli , 1988 .

[4]  M. Ziskin,et al.  Temperature oscillations in liquid media caused by continuous (nonmodulated) millimeter wavelength electromagnetic irradiation. , 1996, Bioelectromagnetics.

[5]  N. Korpan,et al.  Clinical effects of continuous microwave for postoperative septic wound treatment: a double-blind controlled trial. , 1995, American journal of surgery.

[6]  M. Torregrossa,et al.  MILLIMETER-WAVE EFFECTS ON CANDIDA ALBICANS CELLS , 1985 .

[7]  V. Lednev,et al.  Millimeter-wave effects on electric activity of crayfish stretch receptors. , 1991, Bioelectromagnetics.

[8]  O P Gandhi,et al.  Some basic properties of biological tissues for potential biomedical applications of millimeter waves. , 1983, The Journal of microwave power.

[9]  Kazbekov En,et al.  Effects of microwave irradiation on some membrane-related processes in bacteria. , 1987 .

[10]  Om P. Gandhi,et al.  Effect of Millimeter-Wave Irradiation on Growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae , 1986, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering.

[11]  I. Belyaev,et al.  Regularities of separate and combined effects of circularly polarized millimeter waves on E. coli cells at different phases of culture growth , 1993 .

[12]  G. S. Litvinov,et al.  [Visualization of the effects of millimeter radiation on blood plasma]. , 1993, Biofizika.

[13]  M. Dardalhon,et al.  Determination of a thermal equivalent of millimeter microwaves in living cells. , 1979, The Journal of microwave power.

[14]  E. E. Fesenko,et al.  Dual effects of microwaves on single Ca2+‐activated K+ channels in cultured kidney cells Vero , 1995, FEBS Letters.

[15]  N. Chemeris,et al.  Preliminary microwave irradiation of water solutions changes their channel‐modifying activity , 1995, FEBS letters.

[16]  L. Dombrovska,et al.  Experimental study of the effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on animals with soft tissue wounds. , 1996, The Science of the total environment.

[17]  Evgenii E. Fesenko,et al.  Changes in the state of water, induced by radiofrequency electromagnetic fields , 1995, FEBS letters.

[18]  The Influence of Low Intensity Millimetre Waves on Biological Systems , 1988 .

[19]  M. Dardalhon,et al.  Studies on possible genetic effects of microwaves in procaryotic and eucaryotic cells , 1981, Radiation and environmental biophysics.

[20]  Fritz Keilmann,et al.  Resonant Cellular Effects of Low Intensity Microwaves , 1988 .

[21]  Y. Akyel,et al.  Search for frequency-specific effects of millimeter-wave radiation on isolated nerve function. , 1997, Bioelectromagnetics.

[22]  H. Fröhlich,et al.  The Biological Effects of Microwaves and Related Questions , 1980 .

[23]  L. Dombrovska,et al.  Experimental study of the effect of electromagnetic fields' in the early stage of wound healing , 1994 .

[24]  V A Polunin,et al.  Resonance effect of millimeter waves in the power range from 10(-19) to 3 x 10(-3) W/cm2 on Escherichia coli cells at different concentrations. , 1996, Bioelectromagnetics.

[25]  M C Ziskin,et al.  Millimeter microwave effect on ion transport across lipid bilayer membranes. , 1995, Bioelectromagnetics.

[26]  D I Roshchupkin,et al.  [Effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic radiation and ultra-violet radiation on aggregation of thymocytes and erythrocytes]. , 1996, Biofizika.

[27]  N. Korpan,et al.  Continuous microwave enhances the healing process of septic and aseptic wounds in rabbits. , 1994, Journal of Surgical Research.

[28]  W. Heyer,et al.  Extremely high frequency electromagnetic fields at low power density do not affect the division of exponential phase Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. , 1997, Bioelectromagnetics.

[29]  J R Jauchem,et al.  SUSTAINED 35‐GHz RADIOFREQUENCY IRRADIATION INDUCES CIRCULATORY FAILURE , 1995, Shock.

[30]  I. Belyaev.  Some biophysical aspects of the genetic effect of low-intensity millimeter waves , 1992 .

[31]  M C Ziskin,et al.  Millimeter waves thermally alter the firing rate of the Lymnaea pacemaker neuron. , 1997, Bioelectromagnetics.

[32]  Charles Polk,et al.  CRC Handbook of Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields , 1986 .

[33]  M C Ziskin,et al.  Medical application of millimetre waves. , 1998, QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians.

[34]  M C Ziskin,et al.  Continuous millimeter-wave radiation has no effect on lipid peroxidation in liposomes. , 1996, Radiation research.

[35]  Effect of millimeter waves on UV-induced recombination and mutagenesis in yeast , 1997 .

[36]  T. I. Orlova,et al.  [The effect of millimeter-band radiation of nonthermal intensity on sensitivity of Staphylococcus to various antibiotics]. , 1996, Biofizika.

[37]  W. Grundler,et al.  Resonant growth rate response of yeast cells irradiated by weak microwaves , 1977 .

[38]  E E Fesenko,et al.  [Modification of the activity of murine peritoneal neutrophils upon exposure to millimeter waves at close and far distances from the emitter]. , 1996, Biofizika.

[39]  W. Grundler.  Biological Effects of RF and MW Energy at Molecular and Cellular Level , 1983 .

[40]  Y. Akyel,et al.  Frequency-Specific Effects of Millimeter-Wavelength Electromagnetic Radiation in Isolated Nerve , 1997 .

[41]  M. Ziskin,et al.  Effect of millimeter waves on survival of UVC-exposed Escherichia coli. , 1995, Bioelectromagnetics.

[42]  I. Belyaev.  Short communicationSome biophysical aspects of the genetic effect of low-intensity millimeter waves☆ , 1992 .