Morphometric analysis of MRC-5 fibroblast like cells exposed to intermittent UV radiation.

The goal of this study was to develop a tissue culture model with and without cellular protection (anti-oxidants) in an attempt to prevent or treat squamous damage as a result of free radical generation. The specific aim was to evaluate the morphological responses of MRC-5 fibroblast cells exposed to UV-radiation and vitamin E supplementation. The criteria for the morphological evaluation was as follows; cell and nucleus shapes, size, N/C ratio, nucleus pleomorphism, hydropic swelling, as well as other features or characteristics of membrane and cytoplasmic alterations. The experimental design was divided into two phases. In the first phase the cells were exposed to radiation for 30, 45 and 60-minute intervals, the morphological evaluation was assessed using Image Pro Digital Analysis technique. In the second phase, vitamin E was administered to the cells before and after exposure to 45 min of radiation. Data obtained demonstrated that, forty-five minutes of radiation exposure caused traumatic stress to the cells, swelling, cellular debris and fragmentation. However, treatment with vitamin E pre and post exposure provided protection for the cells. Vitamin E treatment resulted in less cellular aggregation, more abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm and an overall healthy appearance. The data suggest that the use of vitamin E may minimize skin damage by protecting the integrity of the fibroblast cells for up to 72 hours in culture.