Objective   To investigate the change of glucose uptake in the hippocampus after whole-body exposure to 30 mW/cm

2

microwave

and explore the eff

ect of glucose intervention on learning and memory dysfunction induced by electromagnetic radiation (EMR) in rats.   Methods   A total of 18 adult male SD rats were randomly divided into control group

microwave exposure group (MW)

microwave exposure and glucose intervention group (MW+GLU)

with 6 animals in each group. The rats of MW and MW+GLU group received 30 mW/cm

2

microwave exposure 20 min per day for 28 d

and then their learning and memory were detected by Morris water maze. In 30 min before training

the MW+GLU group were administered intraperitoneally 500 mg/kg of glucose every day from the start of training. Another 30 rats received 30 mW/cm

2

microwave exposure 20 min once a day were sacrificed in 0

7

14

21

and 28 d respectively

6 for each time point

and then glucose uptake in the hippocampus was determined by liquid scintillation counter.   Results   After exposure to 30 mW/cm

2

microwave for 28 d

the escape latency of MW group was increased in 4

5

6 and 7 d after training when compared to the control (P0.05)

but there was no significant difference in MW+GLU group and control (P0.05). The time in target quadrant and the number of times through virtual platform were also decreased in MW group than in control (18.66±2.77 vs 30.75±8.02 s

and 1.60±0.54 vs 2.80±0.83

respectively

P0.05）

but there was no significant  difference in MW+GLU group and control (26.84±4.75 s and 3.20±1.03 respectively

P0.05). The glucose uptake in the hippocampus was significantly decreased in 21 and 28 d after exposure compared to control (3 959±390 and 3 764±192 vs 5 284±711

P0.05).   Conclusion   Glucose treatment attenuates the impairment of learning and memory induced by EMR

and the reduction of hippocampal glucose uptake may be a reason of learning and memory dysfunction induced by EMR.