[An observation on pathological changes in retinal ultrastructure of rat with hypertension and after its life-long treatment with captopril].
The fundus and retinal ultrastructural changes of rats with hypertension and such rats having taken life-long captopril treatment were examined by funduscope, light and transmission electron microscopes. The normal rats were the controls. The results showed that in the hypertension group, the ratio of the diameter of the retinal artery to that of the vein was 1:2, the arteries were spastic and narrowed, their light reflexes were widened and their calibers of the lumens were uneven, the fundus appearances being consistent with grade I and II retinal changes of systemic hypertension. Under the light microscope, it was discovered that the basement membranes of the retinal capillaries were thickened and their lumens narrowed, resulting in retinal ischemia and anoxia. Under the transmission electron microscope, the main pathological changes involved the external segments of photoreceptors and ganglionic cells. The pathological changes were hazy renewed membranous discs at the basal portions of the external segments of photoreceptors, edematous ganglionic cells being the majority, their cytoplasm stained pale, mitochondrial vacuolization, enlargement of smooth endoplasmic reticula and degranulation of rough endoplasmic reticula. In the group of rats with hypertension having taken life-long captopril treatment, the fundi and blood pressure remained normal and no significant ultrastructural changes had taken place in their retinae.
Chen
R
R
Department of Anatomy, Fujian Medical College, Fuzhou.
Cai
Z
Z
Kang
Z
Z
D000818:Animals; D002216:Captopril / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY; D012160:Retina / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000648:ultrastructure
D002216:Captopril