The Effects of X-Rays on the Hair Follicles, Blood Vessels, Collagen and Elastic Fibers, of the Skin of Guinea Pigs and the Role of Vitamin C, A Morphological Study under Light Microscope

Abstract

Objective: To observe the effects of x-rays on hair follicles, blood vessels and collagen and elastic fibers of the skin and role of vitamin C.

Study Design: A prospective experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study: This Study was conducted at the Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Karachi from  2008 to 2009.

Materials and Methods: Twenty seven animals were taken and were divided in to three groups. Each group was further subdivided into three subgroups containing three animals each according to the time of sacrifice i.e. 48 hours, 15^th day and 45^th day respectively. A single whole body x–irradiation in a dose of 5 Gy was given. Group C animals were also given injection of vitamin-C intraperitoneally in the dose of 1 mg/G/day. Animals were sacrificed under ether anaesthesia after completion of their respective periods. Tissues were processed and 4-5 micron thick paraffin embedded sections were cut and stained with Hematoxylin and eosin for morphology of hair follicles and blood vessels, Masson’s trichrome for study of collagen and Van Geison for elastic fibers.

Results: Group A served as control. In Group ‘B’ hair follicles were reduced in size and number of cells per bulb was also reduced, blood vessels were dilated their endothelial cells were swollen lumen was narrow and vessel wall was sclerosed, collagen and elastic fibers were reduced in amount. In group ‘C’ early effects of x-rays subsided to great extent in less than 15 days but there was no sign of improvement in elastic fibers.  

Conclusion: X-rays have hazardous effects on hair follicles, blood vessels and collagen fiber elastic fiber. Vitamin C minimizes these hazardous effects.