EXPERIMENTAL AND TOXICOLOGIC PATHOLOGY, cilt.61, sa.4, ss.297-305, 2009 (SCI-Expanded)
Exposure to formaldehyde, which is an organic compound, disturbs the integrity of nasal mucosa. In this study, we aimed to clarify the protein changes in the junctional complex of nasal mucosa of Wistar rats exposed to formaldehyde inhalation. The study was performed in 20 female Wistar rats. Rats were divided into two groups randomly. Control rats were allowed free access to standard rat chaw and tap water (n:10). Experimental group was exposed to formaldehyde vapor at 15 ppm, 6 h/day, 5 days/week for 12 weeks (n: 10). Histological evaluation of the experimental model was determined by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and periodic acid Schiff (PAS) stainings of paraffin-em bedded nasal mucosa tissues and by electron microscopy. The effects of formaldehyde inhalation on the distribution of occludin, F-cadherin, and gamma-catenin were assessed by immunohistochemistry.