Effect of ultra‑wide‑band electromagnetic pulses on blood‑brain barrier permeability in rats

Abstract

The restrictive nature of the blood brain barrier (BBB) brings a particular challenge to the treatment of central nervous system (cnS) disorders. The effect of ultra-wide band electromagnetic pulses (uWB-eMPs) on BBB permeability was examined in the present study in order to develop a safe and effective technology that opens the BBB to improve treatment options for cnS diseases. rats were exposed to a single UWB‑EMP at various field strengths (50, 200 or 400 kV/m) and the BBB was examined using albumin immunohistochemistry and evans blue staining at different time periods (0.5, 3, 6 and 24 h) after exposure. The expression and distribution of zonula occludens 1 (Zo-1) were evaluated using western blotting to identify a potential mechanism underlying BBB permeability. The results showed that the BBB permeability of rats exposed to uWB-eMP increased immediately following uWM-eMP treatment and peaked between 3 and 6 h after UWB‑EMP exposure, returning to pre‑exposure levels 24 h later. The data suggested that UWB‑EMP at 200 and 400 kV/m could induce BBB opening, while 50 kV/m UWB‑EMP could not. The levels of ZO‑1 in the cerebral cortex were significantly decreased at 3 and 6 h after exposure; however, no change was observed in the distribution of Zo-1. The present study indicated that UWB‑EMP‑induced BBB opening was field strength-dependent and reversible. decreased expression of Zo-1 may be involved in the effect of uWB-eMP on BBB permeability.