Ultrasonic effects on alveolar macrophages in suspension

Abstract

Rabbit alveolar macrophages in suspension were exposed to 5 or 10 min of continuous 2-MHz ultrasound with 5, 10, and 15 W/cm2 spatial average intensities. Viability as determined by dye exclusion decreased with increasing intensity. Pressure experiments indicated that this was a result of acoustic cavitation. Ultrasound induced clumping of cells and often reduced membrane ruffling. Some cells were disintegrated. Cells that appeared to be otherwise intact had swollen mitochondria with ruptured cristae.

Conservation of receptor expression and phagocytic activity of murine macrophages exposed to various ultrasonic regimens in vitro

“…6 Thus, the blurring of previous distinctions between diagnostic and therapeutic sonographic regimens after commercial introduction of certain puised Doppler equipment made it appropriate to revisit the topic of immunologic response to moderately severe exposure to ultrasonic beams, delivered as in contemporary diagnostic regimens.…”

“…14 · 15 Burst-mode exposures were performed with equal onand off-time (50 % duty cycle) with burst duration of 10 ms chosen to enhance cavitation. 1 4.1 6 Sham-exposure control experiments were performed identically, except that the transducer was not energized.…”