OBJECTIVETo 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).

METHODSEighteen 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.

RESULTSZO-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.

CONCLUSIONExposure 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.

Actins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cerebral Cortex ; cytology ; metabolism ; Electromagnetic Radiation ; Gene Expression Regulation ; radiation effects ; Lung ; cytology ; metabolism ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Myocardium ; cytology ; metabolism ; Occludin ; Phosphoproteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testis ; cytology ; metabolism ; Tight Junctions ; metabolism ; Zonula Occludens-1 Protein