Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of microwave radiation on synaptosome and the release of neurotransmittters in cerebral cortex in Wistar rats.MethodsSynaptosomes were exposed to microwave radiation at average power intensity of 30 and 50 mW/cm².Flow cytometry and electron spin resonance were used to study the change of Ca²⁺ concentration in synapse and the fluidity of membrane proteins of synaptosome.High performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) and spectrophotometer were used to study the release of amino acids and acetylcholine in cerebral cortex immediately after the radiation.ResultsThe Ca²⁺ concentration in synapse was 36.96±1.01 after 30 mW/cm² radiation and was markedly increased compared to sham treated controls(31.78±0.99,P<0.01).After 30 mW/cm² radiation,the ratio of strong fixed effect to weak fixed effect(S/W)of membrane proteins of synaptosome was 0.278±0.022,and was increased compared to sham treated controls(0.237±0.010,P<0.05).The increased releases of glutamic acid(Glu),glycine(Gly)and gammaaminobutyric acid(GABA)were observed after 30 mW/cm² radiation(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The releases of aspartic acid (Asp),glycine and GABA increased after 50 mW/cm² radiation(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The release of acetylcholine (Ach)increased after 30 mW/cm² and 50 mW/cm² radiation(P<0.01).ConclusionMicrowave radiation can induce adverse changes of structure and function of synaptosome in cerebral cortex in rat.