Effect of millimeter waves on cyclophosphamide induced suppression of T cell functions

Abstract

The effects of low power electromagnetic millimeter waves (MWs) on T cell activation, proliferation, and effector functions were studied in BALB/c mice. These functions are important in T-lymphocyte mediated immune responses. The MW exposure characteristics were: frequency = 42.2 GHz; peak incident power density = 31 +/- 5 mW/cm(2), peak specific absorption rate (SAR) at the skin surface = 622 +/- 100 W/kg; duration 30 min daily for 3 days. MW treatment was applied to the nasal area. The mice were additionally treated with cyclophosphamide (CPA), 100 mg/kg, a commonly used immunosuppressant and anticancer drug. Four groups of animals were used in each experiment: naive control (Naive), CPA treated (CPA), CPA treated and sham exposed (CPA + Sham), and CPA treated and MW exposed (CPA + MW). MW irradiation of CPA treated mice significantly augmented the proliferation recovery process of T cells (splenocytes). A statistically significant difference (P <.05) between CPA and CPA + MW groups was observed when cells were stimulated with an antigen. On the other hand, no statistically significant difference between CPA and CPA-Sham groups was observed. Based on flow cytometry of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, two major classes of T cells, we show that CD4(+) T cells play an important role in the proliferation recovery process. MW exposure restored the CD25 surface activation marker expression in CD4(+) T cells. We next examined the effector function of purified CD4(+) T cells by measuring their cytokine profile. No changes were observed after MW irradiation in interleukin-10 (IL-10) level, a Th2 type cytokine, while the level of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), a Th1 type cytokine was increased twofold. Our results indicate that MWs enhance the effector function of CD4(+) T cells preferentially, through initiating a Th1 type of immune response. This was further supported by our observation of a significant enhancement of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production by peritoneal macrophage's in CPA treated mice. The present study shows MWs ameliorate the immunosuppressive effects of CPA by augmenting the proliferation of splenocytes, and altering the activation and effector functions of CD4(+) T cells.

Electromagnetic millimeter wave induced hypoalgesia: Frequency dependence and involvement of endogenous opioids

“…A number of experimental studies, including our present experiments, have clarified the possible biological mechanisms of the treatment [Pakhomov et al, 1998b;Logani et al, 2002;Makar et al, 2003;Radzievsky et al, 2004a;Alekseev et al, 2005;Szabo et al, 2006]. Some clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of MMWT under ''double-blind'' conditions [Korpan and Saradeth, 1995;Megdiatov et al, 1995;Radzievsky et al, 1999;Usichenko et al, 2003].…”

Effect of millimeter waves on natural killer cell activation

“…In support of our hypothesis, we have shown previously that MMWs can restore T cell functions after suppression with CPA. It was further demonstrated that MMW irradiation facilitated T cell recovery by the upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine production such as IFN-g and TNF-a [Makar et al, 2003]. …”

“…In a previous study in BALB/c mice we have shown that MMWs (42.2 GHz) can protect T cell functions from the toxicity of cyclophosphamide (CPA), a commonly used anticancer drug [Makar et al, 2003]. MMW irradiation restored the activation of CD4 þ T cells suppressed by CPA and enhanced IFN-g production by these cells.…”

Anti‐inflammatory effects of low‐intensity extremely high‐frequency electromagnetic radiation: Frequency and power dependence

“…), strengthening their efficacy, removing side effects, reducing normative courses of treatment, and possesses polymedical effects [Betskii et al, 2005]. Our own results and data available in the literature give evidence that low-intensity EHF EMR is capable of inducing hypoalgesic and anti-inflammatory effects [Radzievsky et al, 2000;Lushnikov et al, 2005;Gapeyev et al, 2006], modifying the immune status of an organism and raising its adaptable potential [Logani et al, 2002;Lushnikov et al, 2002;Makar et al, 2003], improving microcirculation in injured tissues and stimulating physiological and reparative regeneration [Gapeyev and Chemeris, 2000a]. However, in spite of wide application of EHF-therapy in medical practice, the underlying mechanisms and effective exposure parameters and regimens remain in many respects unclear.…”