Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the ultrastructural effects of ultraviolet C radiation on the lung cells of mole rats. Mole rats were divided into controlled and experiment groups. Controlled group did not receive any radiation. The other groups were irradiated with UV radiation for 14 and 28 days. The lung tissue samples were prepared and analyzed by light and transmission electron microscopy. A number of effects were observed in some groups which suggest some magnitude of UVC radiation affected in the lung tissue. The first changes detected in mole rats lung tissue after 14 days UVC radiation consisted of deformation in alveolar cells and in the interstitial space. There became a deformation in the alveolar epithelial cells, endothelial cells and interstitium space of the lung cells. After 28 days of UVC exposure, there happened a complete destruction of a large fraction in the capillaries. These cells showed signs of necrosis, irregularity, and their cytoplasm contained vacuoles with containing fluid-filled substantives. There happened an increase in capillary volume and a destruction in the collagen fibrins. Some destruction occurred concurrently in the alveolar epithelial cells. These findings clearly demonstrated the ultrastructural effects of UVC radiation on lung cells in an exposure-period dependent manner. Keywords: Ultraviolet radiation, Lung tissue, Mole rats, Histology, Ultrastructure