[Morphological research on the liver structures of experimental animals under the action of infrasound]

Data of the experimental investigations of the effects of infrasound (frequencies: 2, 4, 8, and 16 Hz; acoustic pressure: 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, and 140 dB) on hepatic structures of laboratory animals are presented. Single exposure to infrasound with any of the given parameters induces no changes in hepatic structures. Such elements of the liver as hepatocytes and small vessels turned out to be most sensitive to 3 h./d infrasonic exposure during 5 to 40 days. Alterations in the liver were local by nature and manifested by ischemic areas with hepatocyte morphologic and histochemical changes. Hepatocyte changes after 5 to 40-day infrasonic exposure showed increased functional activity. More durable exposures (25 and 40 days) yielded irreversible changes in hepatocytes. These results indicate that 8 and 16 Hz infrasound produces more pronounced histological, histochemical and ultrastructural alterations than 2 and 4 Hz. These data suggest that the above frequencies can indirectly impair cell organoids and nuclear chromatin, and affect the hepatocyte function.