The effects of ultraviolet B (UV-B)‎ radiation on albino rat cornea and epithelial cells

Abstract EN

Purpose : To evaluate the influence of UV-B radiation on the cornea and epithelial cells of the albino rat.

Methods : 100 Sprague-Dawely rats were divided in 4 groups with different ages (3, 6, 10, 18 weeks) and control one.

Exposed 4 groups were irradiated to UVB with wave length 300nm and intensity of 8 kj /m2.

Each group was divided into 2 sub-groups (A and B) according to the time of exposure (15 and 30 minutes).

The control group (C) was divided into 5 rats for each group.

One week after exposure cornea was removed to evaluate the histopathological changes.

Groups were compared by evaluating the difference between exposed and non-exposed cornea.

Results : Exposure to 15 minutes UV-B showed degenerative changes in all ages and increased with time of exposure.

Epithelial hyperplasia was 25% in 6 weeks group exposed to 15 minutes of UV-B and 33.3% with 30 minutes of exposure.

In 18 weeks group hyperplasia was 25% after 30 minutes of exposure.

Epithelial thinning was detected only in 3 and 18 weeks groups after exposure to 30 minutes of UV-B by 33.3%.

Epithelial erosion was 16.6% in 10 weeks group after 30 minutes of exposure.

Stromal blood vessels were detected in exposed groups to 30 minutes of radiation in 6, 10 weeks by 16.6% and 41.6%.

Stromal edema was detected in all ages exposed to 15 and 30 minutes of UV-B.

Conclusions : Exposure to UV-B corneal epithelial and stromal changes which increase with time of exposure.