Characterization of frequency-dependent responses of the vascular system to repetitive vibration.
OBJECTIVE
The current frequency weighting proposed in the International Standards Organization-5349 standard may underestimate the risk of injury associated with exposure to vibration >100 Hz. The goal of this study was to assess the frequency-dependent responses of the peripheral vascular system to repeated bouts of vibration.


METHODS
The effects of exposure to vibration at 62.5, 125, or 250 Hz (constant acceleration of 49 m/s2) on vascular morphology, oxidative stress, inflammation, and gene expression were examined in the ventral tail artery of rats.


RESULTS
Vascular responses indicative of dysfunction (eg, remodeling and oxidative activity) became more pronounced as the frequency of the exposure increased.


CONCLUSIONS
Exposure to vibration frequencies that induce the greatest stress and strain on the tail (ie, >100 Hz) result in vascular changes indicative of dysfunction.
Engineering and Controls Technology Branch, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Health Effects Laboratory Division, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA. ksk1@cdc.gov
Kristine
K
Krajnak
G Roger
GR
Miller
Stacey
S
Waugh
Claud
C
Johnson
Shengqiao
S
Li
Michael L
ML
Kashon
D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000032:analysis; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013623:Tail; D014732:Vibration / Q000009:adverse effects*
D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D015850:Interleukin-6