Effect of 16 Hz infrasound on expression of TRPV4,GFAP and fos in the hippocampus of rats

Objective To examine the expression of the transient receptor potential vanilloid 4(TRPV4) ion channel protein,glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) and fos protein in the hippocampus of rats exposed to 90 dB and 130 dB infrasound with a frequence of 16 Hz for 7 days.Methods Rats were exposed to 16 Hz,90 dB and 130 dB infrasound for 2 hours/per day.At the 7 th day,the expression of the TRPV4-immunoreactive(IR) neurons,GFAP-IR astrocytes and fos-IR neurons in hippocampus were detected with immunohistochemical staining method.Results TRPV4-IR neurons,GFAP-IR astrocytes and fos-IR neurons in the hippocampus after exposure for 7 days were increased as compared with control rats(P0.05).They showed similar topographic localization and close relationship with each other.The reactions of the 130 dB group were stronger than those of the 90 dB group(P0.05).Conclusion 16 Hz,90 dB and 130 dB infrasound can increase the expression of TRPV4-IR,fos-IR neurons and GFAP-IR astrocytes.Both astrocytes and neurons in hippocampus of rats are activated.