Time-Dependent Corneal Injury Following 10 kV/m Electric Field Exposure: Histopathological Alterations, Corneal Thickening, and TNF-α/NF-κB Activation.

BACKGROUND

Electric field exposure is increasingly encountered in environmental and occupational settings, yet its effects on corneal tissue remain poorly understood. This study investigated the time-dependent effects of 10 kV/m electric field exposure on corneal morphology, inflammatory signaling, and cellular stress responses.

METHODS

Thirty-two adult Wistar albino rats were assigned to four groups (n=8/group): control, 5 min, 15 min, and 30 min exposure. Corneal epithelial and total corneal thickness were measured morphometrically. Histopathological alterations were evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin staining. Immunohistochemical analyses of TNF-α, NF-κB, and HSP-70 were performed to assess inflammatory and cellular stress responses.

RESULTS

Electric field exposure induced significant time-dependent corneal alterations. Histopathological scores increased with exposure duration (p<0.001). Corneal epithelial and total corneal thickness were significantly increased in exposed groups compared with controls (p<0.001). Histopathological examination revealed epithelial degeneration, stromal disorganization, and corneal edema, which were most pronounced after 30 min of exposure. TNF-α and NF-κB immunoreactivity increased significantly in the 15 min and 30 min groups, indicating activation of inflammatory pathways. HSP-70 expression also increased in a duration-dependent manner and reached its highest level in the 30 min group (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Exposure to a 10 kV/m electric field induces time-dependent corneal alterations characterized by increased corneal thickness, structural changes, inflammatory activation, and cellular stress responses. These findings provide experimental evidence that acute electric field exposure is associated with structural and inflammatory changes in corneal tissue under controlled experimental conditions.