Effects of UVC Radiation on the Thickness of Glomerular Basement Membrane in Mole Rats

Abstract

In general, the Glomerular Basement Membrane (GBM) is the main part of the Glomerular Filtration Barrier (GBF) in living organisms which border the urinary space and capillary lumen. It is thought that, the GBF comprises the endothelium, the basement membrane and the foot processes of podocytes. In this study, the effects of ultraviolet (UV) C radiation on the thickness of GBM in mole rats (Spalax leucodon) kidneys were examined by transmission electron microscope. Thirteen adult mole rats of both sexes, weighing 180-200 g were used in this study. The mole rats were divided into four groups. Group I was separated as the control and did not take any radiation. The other groups were irradiated by artificially produced UVC radiation for 14, 28 and 60 days. After the euthanasia, the kidney samples were taken, dissected out and fixed. Then the specimens were examined on transmission electron microscope. The results showed that the thickening of the GBM was evident at 14 days after UVC radiation exposure and the thickness of GBM increased more than twice of control value at 28 days. But after 60 days of radiation exposure, the thickening decreased slightly. The results showed that UVC radiation caused the thickness of GBM in mole rats according to radiation dose and exposure times.