Capillary density of tenotomized skeletal muscles

Abstract

Our purpose was to study the capillary density of rat gastrocnemius muscle by microangiography 7-21 days after achillotenotomy or immobilization in a plaster cast. Sixteen animals were tenotomized, 12 immobilized in a plaster cast, and 4 served as controls. The number of capillaries was counted per 1,000 muscle fibres from each sample. No site differences were found in control muscles, where on an average 1,250 capillaries per 1,000 muscle fibers were found. After tenotomy the number of capillaries was decreased 35%, 31%, and 32% on days 7, 14, and 21, respectively. In immobilized muscles the decrease in capillary density occurred slowly, the corresponding decrease being 23%, 33%, and 28% on days 7, 14, and 21, respectively. These results indicate that the capillary density of muscular tissue is greatly decreased following the disuse produced by tenotomy or immobilization.

Angiogenic effect of intramuscular administration of basic fibroblast growth factor in atrophied muscles: an experimental study in the rat

“…18 In this study, we also show a significant decrease in the number of blood vessels in atrophied muscles after tenotomy.…”

Nerve injury affects the capillary supply in rat slow and fast muscles differently

“…In muscle disuse, fibre atrophy is accompanied by increased capillary density and reduced capillary per fibre ratio as reported after immobilisation, tenotomy, space flight and short-lasting denervation (Jozsa et al 1980;Desplanches et al 1987;Musacchia et al 1990;Tyml et al 1999;Desaki et al 2000). In contrast to the previous findings, Mrazkova and Puzanova (1971) have found a decreased capillary density.…”

“…In skeletal muscles, the capillary density has been studied under various experimental and pathological conditions, such as hypoxia (Deveci et al 2001), tenotomy (Jozsa et al 1980), low frequency electrical stimulation (Škorjanc et al 1998), long-term high-frequency stimulation (Hudlicka and Tyler 1984), in patients with disuse atrophy, inflammatory myopathies, and in other chronic myopathic and neurogenic diseases (e.g. Carpenter and Karpati 1982;Carry et al 1986).…”

Sarcopenia: Aging-Related Loss of Muscle Mass and Function

“…Although capillary rarefaction does appear to occur during aging, this may be at least partly attributable to the aging-related decline in physical activity, a widespread phenomenon in aging organisms, including humans (418). Disuse indeed does not only result in muscle atrophy, but also induces capillary rarefaction (437,449,901). In support of a role for reduced physical activity levels, the CD and C:F were higher in both young (21-30 yr) and old (51-62 yr) fit than sedentary people (727).…”