OBJECTIVETo study whether 1.8 GHz microwaves (MW) (SAR, 3 W/kg) exposure can influence DNA damage induced by ultraviolet ray (UV).

METHODSThe lymphocytes were obtained from three young healthy donors. The cells were exposed to 254 nm UV at the doses of 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.50 and 2.00 J/m(2). The lymphocytes were also exposed to 1.8 GHz MW (SAR, 3 W/kg) for 0, 1.5 and 4.0 h. The combination exposure of UV plus MW was conducted. The treated cells were incubated for 0, 1.5 and 4.0 h. Finally, comet assay was used to detect DNA damage of above treated lymphocytes.

RESULTSThe difference of DNA damage induced between MW group and control group was not significant (P>0.05). the MTLs induced by UV were (1.71+/-0.09), (2.02+/-0.08), (2.27+/-0.17), (2.27+/-0.06), (2.25+/-0.12), (2.24+/-0.11)microm, respectively, which were significantly higher than that of control [(0.96+/-0.05) microm], (P<0.01). MTLs of some sub-groups in combination exposure groups at 1.5 h incubation were significantly lower than those of corresponding UV sub-groups (P<0.01 or P<0.05. However, MTLs of some sub-groups in combination exposure groups at 4.0 h incubation were significantly higher than those of corresponding UV sub-groups (P<0.01 or P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe exposure to 1.8 GHz (SAR, 3 W/kg) MW for 1.5 and 4.0 h can not enhance significantly human lymphocyte DNA damage. But MW can reduce or enhance DNA damage of lymphocytes induced by UV at 1.5 h and 4.0 h incubation in comet assay in vitro, respectively.