Ultrastructural changes in the endothelium of lung capillaries during experimental pneumonia.
In 35 guinea pigs a model of pneumonia was produced by transtracheal introduction of a sterile string. Electron microscopic study revealed that in the early stage of pneumonia (3-14 days after onset) endothelial cells in the capillaries of alveolar walls develop changes aimed at intensification of their function in sustaining an enhanced transcapillary gas exchange. In the following stage (1-4 months) endothelial cells develop progressing dystrophic changes leading to structural and functional disturbance of the blood-oxygen barrier. The dystrophic changes in endothelial cells develop later than those in alveolar epithelium.
Department of Pathological Anatomy, Crimean Medical Institute, Simferopol, USSR.
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Birkun
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Zagoruĺko
D000818:Animals; D002196:Capillaries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008168:Lung / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology