Histopathological changes in secondary visual cortex and enhanced calcium activity in neurons being involved in microwave radiation-induced anxiety-like behavior
10.3760/cma.j.cn112271-20231017-00123
- VernacularTitle:次级视觉皮层组织病理学改变和神经元钙活动增强参与微波辐射致焦虑样行为
- Author:
Zhihua FENG
1
;
Ting PAN
;
Ganghua HE
;
Chenxu CHANG
;
Zhilin CUI
;
Meiying YANG
;
Yanhui HAO
;
Fengsong LIU
;
Yang LI
;
Hongyan ZUO
Author Information
1. 河北大学生命科学学院，保定 071002
- Keywords:
Microwave radiation;
Secondary visual cortex;
Anxiety-like behavior;
Calcium activity in neuron
- From:
Chinese Journal of Radiological Medicine and Protection
2024;44(6):464-471
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To clarify the effects of microwave radiation on anxiety-like behavior, the histomorphology of the secondary visual cortex, and calcium activity in neurons.Methods:36 C57BL/6N mice were selected and divided into control group and microwave radiation group according to the random number table method. In the simple behavioral testing, there were 8 mice in the control group and 7 mice in the radiation group. Combining fiber optic recording with behavioral experiments, there were 8 mice in the control group and 7 mice in the radiation group. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was conducted with 3 mice in each group. A high-power microwave simulated source in the X-band with a center frequency of 9.875 GHz and an average power density of 12 mW/cm 2 was used to irradiate the mice for 15 minutes, establishing a microwave radiation animal model. Then, anxiety-like behavior changes in the radiation group were identified using the open-field and elevated plus maze (EPM) tests. The effects of microwave radiation on the histomorphology of the secondary visual cortex were investigated using HE staining and optical microscopy. Based on the genetically encoded calcium imaging technique, as well as optical fiber recording combined with behavioral paradigms in the open field and the EPM, the changes of calcium activity in neurons in the V2M region of the secondary visual cortex were detected. Results:Compared to the control group, the radiation group showed a significant decrease in the frequency of exploring the central region of the open field and the open arm of the EPM ( t = 2.24, 3.10, P < 0.05). Furthermore, the radiation group exhibited the degeneration and apoptosis of some neurons in the secondary visual cortex, primarily manifested as pyknosis and deep staining, cell body shrinkage, and the slightly widening of perivascular space. Fiber optic recordings and behavioral experiments indicated that compared to the control group, mice in the radiation group exhibited significantly increased calcium activities in neurons of the secondary visual cortex when exploring the central region of the open field ( t = -2.75, P < 0.05) or the open arm of the EPM ( t = -2.77, -3.41, P < 0.05) compared to those before radiation after microwave exposure. Conclusions:Microwave radiation can induce anxiety-like behaviors and histopathological changes in the secondary visual cortex. Increased calcium activity in neurons of the secondary visual cortex is proved to be an important mechanism underlying the changes in anxiety-like behavior due to microwave radiation.
