Effect of microwaves on the activity of murine macrophages in vitro.

The effect of nonionizing electromagnetic radiation in the microwave range was studied on the adherence, opsonization, phagocytosis, nitroblue tetrazolium reduction and antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity of peritoneal macrophages from BALB/c mice. After 15 min of irradiation with microwaves modulated in pulses at a frequency of 2,450 MHz and a power density of 32 mW/cm2, an increase in all the parameters studied was observed. The use of microwaves as a possible tool for the stimulation of the immune system is discussed.