Degenerative changes in endothelial and smooth muscle cells from aging swine ductus arteriosus and venosus

Abstract

Degenerative changes in endothelial and smooth muscle cells from fetal, 2-month-, and 6-month-old swine ductus vasculature were observed. In fetal ductus, a discontinuous internal elastic lamina and increased extracellular mucopolysaccharide deposition were initially noted. At 2 months of age, there was widespread fibromuscular intimal thickening, the appearance of modified smooth muscle cells, increased medial fibrosis, and the occurrence of cell debris and nuclear pyknosis. Early modification of smooth muscle cells was marked by increased occurrence of lysosomes, widely dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi bodies. Abundant aggregates of Weibel-Palade bodies occurred in early endothelial cell degeneration. At 6 months of age, after complete anatomical closure, there was abundant lipid vacuole production by degenerated medial smooth muscle cells. This study demonstrates that at various stages of occlusion, endothelial and smooth muscle cells from ductus vasculature exhibit morphological changes which are qualitatively similar to atherosclerosis.

Lymphatic vessels of the human dental pulp in different conditions

“…An increase in number of these bodies following modifications in the functional and structural characteristics of the endothelial wall has never been described in lymphatic vessels but has been described in blood vessels. Their increase had been connected to the fibrotic processes which the blood vessels were undergoing (Toda et al, 1981;Kagawa and Fujimoto, 1987). This hypothesis could also support our observations on the increase of the Weibel-Palade bodies in the lymphatic vessels of fibrotic pulps.…”

Spontaneous aortic lesions in marine turtles.

“…These types of cell degeneration differed from total cell death and focal cytoplasmic necrosis. (Toda et al 1981(Toda et al , 1983) These aneurismic lesions were similar to those found in Marfan's syndrome in human and also in copper deficiencies and f3-aminopropionitrile treatments in animals (Simpson et al 1980 ).…”

Ductus venosus shunting in the fetal venous circulation: regulatory mechanisms, diagnostic methods and medical importance

“…The DV has been described in fetuses of mice27, 28, rats29, dogs30–33, cats34, 35 and many other mammals. However, guinea pig and horse fetuses do not have a DV at term36–38. In pig fetuses, the DV disappears during intrauterine life39, 40, while in sheep fetuses the DV increases in size up to birth as a short‐circuit for re‐oxygenated blood returning from the placenta36.…”