Irradiation as a hazard for mucociliary clearance.
OBJECTIVE
In this paper we study effects of irradiation to pulmonary tissue on a micro and ultrastructural level to get insights into the dynamics of morphological changes and associated post-radiative physiological conditions.


METHODS
Animal and human pulmonary tissue with and without radiation damage was subject to light, transmission, scanning and polarization microscopy and morphometric evaluation.


RESULTS
The present investigations on the influence of irradiation on experimental and human lung tissue demonstrate that complex changes are induced in the cells which are essential for mucociliary clearance. These changes are a shortage of alveolar macrophages, cell apoptosis, proliferation of collagen ligament in the barrier of gaseous exchange, retraction of endothelial lining of capillaries and significant broadening of the gaseous exchange barrier, resulting in serious damage for the O2 and CO2 exchange.


CONCLUSIONS
These changes at microscopic, cellular, and ciliary level trigger conditions for various diseases of the respiratory system, which is further assessed by a simultaneous computer aided estimation of ciliary function. With the concurrent world-wide increase of respiratory diseases, these findings are important knowledge for the clinical practice.
St. Elisabeth University of Health and Social Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia.
Viktor
V
Foltin
University Clinic of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Annelies
A
Schrott-Fischer
Faculty of Health Care, Catholic University in Ruzomberok, Ruzomberok, Slovakia.
Viliam
V
Zilinek
University Clinic of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Wolfgang
W
Freysinger
D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000528:radiation effects; D002196:Capillaries / Q000528:radiation effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000528:radiation effects; D002648:Child; D003094:Collagen / Q000528:radiation effects; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D008022:Ligaments / Q000528:radiation effects; D008168:Lung / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000528:radiation effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange / Q000528:radiation effects
D003094:Collagen