Objective: To investigate the effect of exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs) on nasal mucociliary clearance (MCC) by rhinosintigrapic and histopathological evaluation.
Materials and methods: The rats were separated into three groups according to ELF-MFs intensity and control group. The exposure groups were standardized for the ELF-MFs of 1, 1.5, and 2 mT emitted by 3 Helmholtz coils for 4 h/day for 30 days. Rhinoscintigraphy was performed to measure nasal MCC. The nasal tissues were examined for edema, inflammation, hyperemia, necrosis, ciliary loss, goblet cell density, and fibroblast proliferation. The data were evaluated statistically (p < 0.05).
Results: Nasal mucociliary clearance rates (NMCR) were calculated as 33.13 ± 5.91% in control, 27.78 ± 4.7% in 1 mT, 22.67 ± 5.43% in 1.5 mT, and 18.11 ± 6.33% in 2 mT. NMCR were decreased with increasing ELF-MFs, in 1.5 and 2 mT groups (p < 0.05) compared to control. Nasal mucociliary transport rate (NMTR) values were found to be 2.17 ± 0.33 mm/min in control, 1.82 ± 0.32 mm/min in 1 mT, 1.46 ± 0.34 mm/min in 1.5 mT and 1.24 ± 0.29 mm/min in 2 mT. NMTR was decreased in the groups exposed to 1.5 and 2 mT (p < 0.05) compared to control. The edema, hyperemia, inflammation, ciliary loss, and goblet cell density were statistically significant differences between control and groups exposed to 1.5 and 2 mT (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Our rat model has shown nasal mucosa damage and decreased NMCR and NMTR by rhinoscintigraphy as ELF-MFs intensity increases. It may be detrimental to nasal mucosa mucociliary function depending on the ELF-MFs intensity.
Level of evidence: N/A Laryngoscope, 133:2081-2089, 2023.
Keywords: Tc-99m macroaggregated albumin; extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields; nasal mucociliary clearance; rhinoscintigraphy.
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