MICROWAVE IRRADIATION INCREASES RECOVERY OF NEUROPEPTIDES FROM BRAIN-TISSUES

The effect of focused high energy microwave treatment (MW) on brain concentrations and molecular forms of substance P, neurokinin A, neuropeptide Y, neurotensin, galanin and calcitonin gene-related peptide was investigated. Groups of rats were treated as follows: 1) MW, storage for 60 min ad 22-degrees-C, 2) Decapitation, storage for 60 min at 22-degrees-C, 3) Decapitation, storage for 60 min at 22-degrees-C, MW treatment, 4) MW, decapitation, storage for 2 min at 22-degrees-C and 5) Decapitation, storage for 2 min at 22-degrees-C. Peptide concentrations were in all instances highest in the MW sacrificed groups. MW increased the concentration of intact peptides by rapid inhibition of peptidase activity and increase in peptide solubility/extractability.