Capillary and fiber size interrelationships in regenerating rat soleus muscle after ischemia: a quantitative study.
The present study examines the influence of ischemia on the muscle fibers and capillarization in rats. Muscle ischemia was achieved by a pneumatic tourniquet at a pressure of 300 mm Hg for 2, 4 and 6 h (groups I, II and III, respectively) to the right hindlimb above the knee. Numerous regenerative fibers were seen at 4 and, especially, 8 and 12 days after ischemia in groups II and III. The quantitative data revealed a significant decrease in the size of muscle fibers (regenerative fibers) in ischemic skeletal muscle, with a concomitant increase in fiber density. The capillary to fiber ratio shows a decrease at 4, 8 and 12 days after ischemia in the three experimental groups: in group I because of a decrease in capillary density; in groups II and III because of an increase in fiber density with respect to capillary density.
Artacho-Pérula
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Department of Morphological Sciences (Section of Histology), School of Medicine, University of Córdoba, Spain.
Roldán-Villalobos
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Vaamonde-Lemos
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R
D000818:Animals; D002196:Capillaries / Q000473:pathology; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000098:blood supply*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000473:pathology*; D009132:Muscles / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012038:Regeneration