ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate renal tissue changes in rats exposed to 16 Hz/130 dB infrasound.Methods Twenty male Sprague-Dawley adult rats were randomly divided into a control group,a pseudo-infrasound group,and two infrasound groups-A and B.Groups A and B were exposed to 16 Hz/130 dB infrasound for 2 h or4 h daily respectively over 7 days.Pathological and uhrastruetural changes in their renal tissues were observed with a light microscope and an electron microscope.Results Under the light microscope,Bowman's capsules expanded,epithelial cells were shed,and a little secretion was found in the renal tubules of infrasound group A.Slight degeneration and necrosis of the renal tubules and glomerular exudation could be observed in group B.Under the electron microscope,a large number of lysosomes displayed hyperplasia,there was interstitial edema,and leukocyte pavementing wag found in group B.Other changes such as swelling of podocytes' processes,fusion of foot processes,and vacuolization in the mitochondria could be observed in both infrasound groups.Conclusion Lengthy exposure to 16 Hz/130 dB infrasound can cause severe pathological and uhrastruetural changes in renal tissue,at least in rats.