Ultrastructural and morphometric analysis of capillaries surrounding regenerating muscle fibers in rats

Abstract

A study was made of the characteristics of the capillaries surrounding regenerating muscle fibers at three different stages of their development. Mepivacaine was injected in the anterior tibial muscles of Wistar rats in order to obtain muscle and capillary degeneration which was followed by muscle and capillary regeneration. Muscles were examined at 4, 8 and 30 days post-injection. Capillaries were subjected to quantitative and qualitative examination using electron microscopy. Results showed the morphological and morphometrical variations taking place in capillaries as the regenerative fiber matures. Changes were most evident in the capillaries surrounding the most immature fibers. It was concluded that although capillary morphology suggests that the supply of blood to regenerative fibers may be hindered, morphometric data appear to indicate no such obstacle.