Thermal responses to 5.6-GHz radiofrequency radiation in anesthetized rats: effect of chlorpromazine.

Anesthetized rats were exposed to 5.6-GHz continuous wave radiofrequency radiation at an average power density of 60 mW/cm2 (average specific absorption rate 12 W/kg). Exposure was performed to raise colonic temperature from 38.5 to 39.5 degrees C. Following acute administration of chlorpromazine, body temperature exhibited a faster return to baseline temperature when exposure was discontinued. When exposure was initiated at 38.5 degrees C and continued until lethal temperatures resulted, chlorpromazine-treated animals exhibited significantly shorter survival times than saline-treated animals. Thus, although chlorpromazine enhanced thermo-regulatory efficiency at colonic temperatures below 39.5 degrees C, the drug caused increased susceptibility to terminal radiofrequency radiation exposure. The present results, when compared to previous studies of irradiation at 2.8 GHz, indicate that the effects of chlorpromazine on thermal responses to RFR during intermittent and terminal exposure are similar at both 2.8 and 5.6 GHz.