Capillaries with fenestrae in the rat soleus muscle after experimental limb immobilization.
Capillaries in the rat soleus muscle were examined by electron microscopy 4 weeks after limb immobilization and compared to those in untreated muscle. Immobilized muscles showed degenerative changes such as dissolution of sarcomeres, vacuoles, and a small increase in connective tissues, including collagen fibers, around muscle fibers. Eight percent of the capillaries in these muscles were found to have fenestrae. The non-nuclear portions of the endothelial cells were extremely thin and were perforated by several fenestrae which were bridged by a single-layered diaphragm. The untreated muscles contained only continuous capillaries. These findings suggest that the occurrence of capillaries with fenestrae in the immobilized muscle may be a result of structural changes in the muscle.
Oki
S
S
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ehime University School of Medicine, Japan.
Desaki
J
J
Matsuda
Y
Y
Okumura
H
H
Shibata
T
T
D000818:Animals; D002196:Capillaries / Q000473:pathology*; D005121:Extremities / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D007103:Immobilization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar