The Effects of Electromagnetic Pulse on the Protein Levels of Tight Junction Associated-Proteins in the Cerebral Cortex, Hippocampus, Heart, Lung, and Testis of Rats

Key words: 
• Electromagnetic pulse /
• Tight junction /
• ZO-1 /
• Occludin /
• Actin

Abstract: Objective To investigate changes in the expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins in the cerebral cortex,hippocampus,heart,lung,and testes of rats after exposure to electromagnetic pulse (EMP).Methods Eighteen adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham and exposure groups.The exposure groups received EMP at 200 kV/m for 200 pulses with a repetition rate of 1 Hz.The expression of TJ proteins (ZO-1,occludin,actin) in the several organs was examined by western blotting.Results ZO-1 levels in the cerebral cortex decreased 1 h and 3 h after EMP exposure compared with sham group (P＜0.05).No significant difference was observed for occludin and actin.ZO-1 levels in the hippocampus increased 1 h and 3 h post-exposure (P＜0.05),and occludin decreased after 3 h (P＜0.05);however,actin was unaffected.ZO-1 levels in the heart increased 3 h post-exposure (P＜0.05),occludin decreased 3 h post-exposure (P＜0.05),and actin increased 1 h and 3 h post-exposure (P＜0.05).ZO-1,occludin and actin levels in the lung decreased compared with those in the sham group (P＜0.05).ZO-1 and occludin levels in the testes decreased 1 h and 3 h post-exposure (P＜0.05),but actin showed no significant change.Conclusion Exposure to EMP altered the expression levels of TJ proteins,particularly ZO-1,in the organs of adult male rats,which may induce changes in barrier structure and function.