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Journals / Acta Medica Alanya / 2026 / Cilt: 10 Sayı: 2

A Stereological and Histological Study of Hippocampal Injury in Rats Exposed to Metallic Mercury Vapor

Metalik Cıva Buharına Maruz Kalan Sıçanlarda Hipokampal Hasarın Stereolojik ve Histolojik İncelenmesi

Işınsu Alkan(NEVSEHIR HACI BEKTAS VELI UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF DENTISTRY)0000-0002-9819-7766
Zuhal Altunkaynak(OKAN UNIVERSITY)0000-0001-7513-0094
Nilgün Akgül(PAMUKKALE UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-6732-0485
Pages
172–177
Publication Date
2026-08-16
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that mercury may induce oxidative damage within the hippocampus, possibly leading to neuronal loss.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Aim: Mercury is a well-known environmental pollutant that, when exposed over an extended period of time, harms neurological tissue.
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Key Findings & Data:Methods: The study used 200 g 10-12 years-old male Wistar albino rats, and the mercury group was subjected to 1 mg/m3/day of mercury vapor for 45 days.
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Conclusion & Impact:Conclusion: Our findings suggest that mercury may induce oxidative damage within the hippocampus, possibly leading to neuronal loss.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Cıva buharı · Stereoloji · Histopatoloji

Abstract

Aim: Mercury is a well-known environmental pollutant that, when exposed over an extended period of time, harms neurological tissue. In this study, we examined the stereological and histological features of female rats' hippocampi after exposure to metallic mercury vapor. Methods: The study used 200 g 10-12 years-old male Wistar albino rats, and the mercury group was subjected to 1 mg/m3/day of mercury vapor for 45 days. There was no application used for the control group. Hippocampal samples were taken from each animal at the ending of the experiment and processed for stereological analysis. Results: Mercury vapor infusion significantly decreased pyramidal cells in the experimental group. The neurons with darker stained and cell bodies were not visible. The levels of oxidative stress in brain tissue were dramatically altered after exposure. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that mercury may induce oxidative damage within the hippocampus, possibly leading to neuronal loss.

Özet

Amaç: Civa (Hg), uzun süre maruz kalındığında nörolojik dokulara zarar veren çevre kirleticisidir. Bu çalışmada, metalik civa buharına maruz bırakılan dişi sıçanların hipokampüslerinin stereolojik ve histolojik özelliklerini inceledik. Yöntem: Bu çalışmada, 200 g 10-12 dişi Wistar albino sıçan kullanıldı. Sıçanlar özel olarak yapılmış bir cam kafeste barındırıldı ve civa grubu (n=6) 45 gün boyunca 1mg/m3/gün civa buharına maruz bırakıldı. Kontrol grubu (n=6) için herhangi bir uygulama yapılmadı. Deneyin sonunda hipokampal örnekler alındı ve stereolojik analizler gerçekeştirildi. Bulgular: Civa infüzyonu, kontrol grubunun cornu ammonisindeki piramidal hücreleri önemli ölçüde azalttı. Deney grubunun hipokampüslerinde daha koyu boyalı ve daha küçük hücre gövdelerine sahip nöronlar kolayca görülebiliyordu. Buna karşılık, kontrol grubunun nöronları normal yapıdaydı. Ayrıca, beyin dokusundaki oksidatif stres göstergelerinin (CAT, LPO, GSH ve SOD) seviyeleri, Hg maruziyetinden sonra önemli ölçüde değişti. Sonuç: Bulgularımız, civanın hipokampüste oksidatif hasara neden olabileceğini ve muhtemelen buna maruz kalan sıçanlarda nöron kaybına yol açabileceğini göstermektedir.

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Cite This Article

Alkan, I., Altunkaynak, Z., Akgül, N. (2026). A Stereological and Histological Study of Hippocampal Injury in Rats Exposed to Metallic Mercury Vapor. Acta Medica Alanya, Cilt: 10 Sayı: 2, 172–177. https://doi.org/10.30565/medalanya.1880120

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