Abstract

Low frequency noise (LFN) is an environmental problem particularly to sensitive people. Stomach is one of the main targets of noise stress. Our aim was to detect histological and immunohistochemical changes that may occur in fundic mucosa of adult wistar male albino rats exposed to LFN and the role of vitamin E administration. Fifty adult wistar male albino rats were classified into three groups: control group, experimental group subdivided into two subgroups: [LFN exposed and LFN+vit.E] and recovery group. Results: fundic mucosa of LFN exposed group showed shedding of surface epithelial cells, glandular cells with pyknotic and karyolitic nuclei, parietal cells had pyknotic nuclei and vacuolated cytoplasm, Chief cells appeared with pyknotic nuclei and separated basal lamina, mononuclear cell infiltration and thick muscularis mucosa. Highly statistically significant increase in the mean area percent of collagen fibers of fundic mucosa of LFN exposed group as compared to the control group. Highly statistically significant decrease in the mean thickness of mucous film in PAS-alcian blue stained sections of the fundic mucosa was detected in the LFN exposed group as compared to the control group and LFN+vit.E exposed group. Highly statistically significant decrease in the mean optical density of chromogranin-A immunoreaction in LFN exposed group as compared to the control group. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination revealed dilated gastric pits and loss of the normal mucous sheet covering the surface mucous cells with some mucous patches. LFN+vit.E group revealed marked improvement. To conclude, LFN induced alteration in fundic mucosa and its mucous barrier. Marked improvement after vitamin E supplementation was detected. So, vitamin E may be beneficial for at risk people

Keywords: Chromogranin-A, Fundic mucosa, Low frequency noise, SEM, Vitamin E