The capillary system of the rat heart in occlusion of the coronary artery

In 74 white rats by means of non-injection++ method morphofunctional state of the myocardial capillary bed has been studied in dynamics at occlusion of descending branch of the left coronary artery. During the first week after the operation blood supply of the areas, adjoining the necrosis, increases at the expense of dilatation and some increase in number of functioning capillaries, that results in enlargement of the exchanging surface and capacity of the capillary bed. Beginning from the 12th day, the value of all these parameters decreases, however, they do not reach their initial level. By the end of the experiment (45 days) the number of the functioning capillaries somewhat decreases, but the capillary diameters remain increased. By that time in the myocardial areas, adjoining the necrosis a parviansiform capillary network without a definite orientation, concerning muscle fibers, has been formed.     

Microangiopathy of cutaneous blood and lymphatic capillaries in chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).

The severity of microangiopathy in patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) determines the extent of the trophic disturbances of the skin. Resulting from valvular incompetence of deep and/or perforating veins and the accompanying venous outflow obstruction caused by deep venous thrombosis (DVT), the increased ambulatory venous pressure heads are transmitted retrograde into the microvasculature of the skin at the ankle region. In the present study, we have assessed the changes in the cutaneous microvasculature by dynamic fluorescence video microscopy, fluorescence microlymphography, and transcutaneous oxygen tension (tcPO2) measurements. In mild forms of CVI, capillary density, morphologic characteristics, and tcPO2 are still normal. Fluorescent light intensity is, however, significantly increased, indicating an increased transcapillary diffusion of sodium fluorescein (NaF) as a marker for enhanced leakage of the capillaries in the early stage of the disease. The pericapillary halo diameters are significantly enlarged, compared to controls (p < 0.01). In the severe stages of CVI and in patients with venous ulcers, capillary thromboses, probably caused by endothelium-blood cell interactions, may lead to a reduced capillary density. In order to enlarge the exchange surface area, the remaining skin capillaries become tortuous (capillary tufts). Parallel to the reduced capillary number, tcPO2 decreases and can be extremely low at the ulcer rim or at white atrophy spots. Fibrin cuffs are not a specific finding for venous ulceration and do not significantly impair oxygen diffusion. Fluorescence microlymphography permits visualization of the lymphatic capillaries of the superficial skin. In severe stages of CVI, the lymphatic capillary network at the medial ankle area is destroyed, and the remaining lymphatic capillary fragments have an increased permeability to FITC-dextran with a molecular weight of 150,000. These findings demonstrate a special lymphatic microangiopathy in CVI, suggesting an additional lymphatic component in the edema formation.     

Renal vascular changes in hydronephrosis in rats: scanning electron microscopy of resin casts of glomerular capillaries

Vascular changes in the hydronephrotic glomeruli of rats were examined using corrosion casts, India ink injection and histological methods. In severe cases, the diameter of the glomerular capillary conglomerations decreased to 40-90 microns as a result of glomerular atrophy. The capillaries of these glomeruli also had reduced diameters, and were strangulated and torn off to varying degrees. The intact capillary network of the renal medulla was destroyed and the normal alignment of capillaries parallel to the tubules was lost. These morphological characteristics may account in part for the difficulty in glomerular capillary blood circulation.     

On the Mechanism of Blood Plasma Filtration by Neutrophils in the Capillary System

Changes in the ratio between the diameters of capillaries and neutrophils, neutrophil stiffening, and their adhesion to vascular endothelium lead to the retention and accumulation of leukocytes in the pulmonary capillary system. In experiments, these phenomena are induced by different methods, from injection of microorganisms into the blood to breathing pure oxygen for 24 h. They may result in capillary occlusion with neutrophils and platelets and damage to blood vessels and tissues. The hypothesis is discussed that blood is filtered by neutrophils accumulated in capillaries, which ensures the contact of neutrophils with microorganisms no later than 5–10 min after the microorganisms enter the blood circulation. Neutrophils are retained, at least temporarily, in the places in the capillary system where relatively wide capillaries branch into narrower capillaries.     

A geometrical model of dermal capillary clearance

A new microscopic model is developed to describe the dermal capillary clearance process of skin permeants. The physiological structure is represented in terms of a doubly periodic array of absorbing capillaries. Convection-dominated transport in the blood flow within the capillaries is coupled with interstitial diffusion, the latter process being quantified via a slender-body-theory approach. Convection across the capillary wall and in the interstitial phase is treated as a perturbation which may be added to the diffusive transport. The model accounts for the finite permeability of the capillary wall as well as for the geometry of the capillary array, based on realistic values of physiological parameters. Calculated dermal concentration profiles for permeants having the size and lipophilicity of salicylic acid and glucose illustrate the power and general applicability of the model. Furthermore, validation of the model with published in vivo experimental results pertaining to human skin permeation of hydrocortisone is presented. The model offers the possibility for in-depth theoretical understanding and prediction of subsurface drug distribution in the human skin following topical application, as well as rates of capillary clearance into the systemic circulation. A simpler approach that treats the capillary bed as a homogeneously absorbing zone is also employed. The latter may be used in conjunction with the capillary exchange model to estimate measurable dermal transport and clearance parameters in a straightforward manner.     

Comparison of OPS imaging and conventional capillary microscopy to study the human microcirculation.

Orthogonal polarization spectral (OPS) imaging is a new clinical technique for observation of the microcirculation of organ surfaces. For validation purposes, we compared OPS images of the nailfold skin with those obtained from conventional capillary microscopy at rest and during venous occlusion in 10 male volunteers. These images were computer analyzed to provide red blood cell velocity and capillary diameters of the same nailfold capillaries at rest and during venous occlusion. Results showed that OPS images provided similar values for red blood cell velocity and capillary diameter as those obtained from capillary microscopy images. OPS imaging, however, provided significantly better image quality, as shown by comparison of image contrast between OPS imaging and capillary microscopy. This made image analysis better and easier to perform. It is anticipated, therefore, that OPS imaging will become a new and powerful technique in the study of the human microcirculation in vivo because it can be used on human internal organs.     

Red Blood Cells: Centerpiece in the Evolution of the Vertebrate Circulatory System

All vertebrates except cold-water ice fish transport oxygenvia hemoglobin packaged in red blood cells (RBCs). VertebrateRBCs vary in size by thirtyfold. Differences in RBC size havebeen known for over a century, but the functional significanceof RBC size remains unknown. One hypothesis is that large RBCsare a primitive character. Agnathans have larger RBCs than domammals. However, the largest RBCs are found in urodele amphibianswhich is inconsistent with the hypothesis that large RBCs areprimitive. Another possibility is that small RBCs increase bloodoxygen transport capacity. Blood hemoglobin concentration ([Hb])and mean RBC hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) increase from Agnathato birds and mammals. However, the changes in [Hb] and MCHCdo not parallel changes in RBC size. In addition, RBC size doesnot affect blood viscosity. Thus, there is no clear link betweenRBC size and oxygen transport capacity. We hypothesize thatRBC size attends changes in capillary diameter. This hypothesisis based on the following observations. First, RBC width averages25% larger than capillary diameter which insures cell deformationduring capillary flow. Functionally, RBC deformation minimizesdiffusion limitations to gas exchange. Second, smaller capillariesare associated with increased potential for diffusive gas exchange.However, smaller capillaries result in higher resistances toblood flow which requires higher blood pressures. We proposethat the large capillary diameters and large RBCs in urodelesreflect the evolutionary development of a pulmonary vascularsupply. The large capillaries reduced systemic vascular resistancesenabling a single ventricular heart to supply blood to two vascularcircuits, systemic and pulmonary, without developing high pressureson the pulmonary side. The large RBCs preserved diffusive gasexchange efficiency in the large capillaries.     

Morphofunctional characteristics of microcirculation in the skin of girls 5-17 years of age

In 261 girls year-to-year morphofunctional transformations of spatial composition of the skin microcirculatory bed have been studied at rest and after a dynamic local load. By means of biomicroscopy main regularities in development of the skin capillary network have been revealed in the nail torus in the postnatal ontogenesis. Formation of the microvessels reactivity during various age periods and maturation of mechanisms of the compensatory-adaptive reactions are connected with formation of the definitive composition of the microcirculatory bed, that in girls corresponds to 11-12 years. Qualitative transformations in the skin capillary network bring certain quantitative changes in the structural microcirculatory parameters--increasing diameter of microvessels and increasing density of functioning capillaries.     

Myocardial capillaries in the fetal and the neonatal rat: a morphometric analysis of the maturing myocardial capillary bed

Developing myocardial capillaries from 16-day-gestation fetus to adult undergo several morphological changes including a thinning of the lateral extensions of the capillary endothelial cells, the formation of a basal lamina, and an increase in the number of plasmalemmal vesicles. A decrease in the extracellular space, an increase in the number of capillaries, and a decrease in the capillary diameter were also observed during the developmental period. In view of these ultrastructural changes, a morphometric analysis was made on the developing myocardial wall to demonstrate specific quantitative changes. The volumes which were occupied by capillary endothelial cells, capillary lumina, extracellular space, and myocardial myocytes within a reference volume of myocardium were measured; and we found that 8% of the reference myocardial volume was occupied by capillary endothelial cells, 85% was occupied by myocardial myocytes, 4% was occupied by capillary lumina, and, except for a significant change in extracellular space at 16 days gestation, 3% was occupied by extracellular space. Each volume ratio was found to be nearly constant throughout the studied period. In contrast to this constancy in the volume ratios, other parameters which were measured demonstrated significant changes during the developmental period studied. These overall changes include a 135% increase in capillary density, a 63% increase in luminal surface area of capillary endothelial cells, a 24% decrease in capillary diameter, a 12% decrease in diffusion distance, and a 35% decrease in the diameter of the erythrocyte population.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Microcirculation in the pulmonary vessels during artificial ventilation of different frequencies and volumes

In acute experiments on cats with closed chest by means of biomicroscopic method it has been shown that artificial ventilation of increased frequency or volume causes the decrease of diameters of arterioles, venules, wide capillaries and also the decrease of the length of functional narrow capillaries. The constriction degree of arterioles and venules depends on their initial diameter. The length of the functional narrow capillaries is being changed to the great extent under frequency increase. Decrease of the volume of the artificial ventilation causes differently directed changes of these parameters in various regions of the lungs. It is supposed that other neuro-humoral factors take part in the realization of the determined changes except alveolar pressure.     

A quantitative investigation of microvascular changes in the thyroid gland after infrared (IR) laser radiation.

We present an ultrastructural study of thyroid capillaries in which 50-day-old rats Wistar rats, were irradiated with an infrared (IR) laser, (total dose, 46.80 J/cm2), the tissue quantified 1 day after ending treatment and a quantitative capillary analysis carried out by light and electron microscopy. Light microscopy was used to calculate capillary volume density revealing a significant increase in the irradiated rats. The quantitative measurement of parameters by electron microscopy required a two stage analysis: Level I, Electron Microscopy (Magnification x5,000); and Level II, Electron Microscopy (Magnification x26,000). At Level I, the following parameters were measured in each capillary: capillary area, capillary diameter, luminal area, luminal diameter, endothelial area, nuclear area and mean endothelial thickness. At Level II, pinocytotic vesicle diameter and their numerical density in endothelial cells were evaluated. Electron microscopic analysis revealed an increased luminal area in the capillaries of the irradiated rats. They also presented a decrease in endothelial cell thickness and vesicular diameter and an increase in vesicle numerical density. This latter increase is indicative of presumptive changes in capillary permeability, but the possible functional significance of these morphological changes in the endothelial cells requires further investigation.     

Metabolic surface area of the microvessels of the gastric serosa

After injecting Indian ink--gelatin mass and vegetable peroxidase, parameters of microvessels in the rat gastric tunica serosa have been measured. The capillary diameters make 3.99 and 4.1 mcm, their length--240 and 259 mcm, density of the tunica serosa are--31 and 26 per 1 mm2. Using these parameters and the value of the hydraulic conductivity, the total area of the capillaries surface (0.09 mm2) and the volume of the filtrated (3.8 X 10(3) mcm3) and reabsorbed (115 X 10(3) mcm3) liquors are calculated. Comparing the volumes of the liquor transported in the visceral layer of the peritoneum and in its other parts, it is possible to consider the mechanisms maintaining water balance in the peritoneal cavity.     

Peripheral circulation in the hand during natural ontogeny and under the conditions of prolonged graded traction

On the basis of the data of rheovasography (RVG) and laser Doppler flowmetry, comparative analysis of age-related changes in the peripheral blood circulation in hand tissues has been performed in 36 apparently healthy subjects aged 4–30 years and in 19 patients aged 18–50 years under the conditions of prolonged traction during surgical lengthening of finger bone stumps. The age-related changes in RVG are characterized by a higher volumetric blood content of tissues in children and adolescents, a decrease in the peripheral vascular tone, and wavelike recovery of capillary blood flow during reactive hyperemia, which is evidence for an unstable capillary tone. The dynamics of RVG indices during graded stretching in vivo (distraction) shows the dominance of an enhanced peripheral tone of arterioles and venules, and the response of the hand skin capillary bed to a 3-min ischemic test is analogous to the dynamics of indices of capillary blood flow in the hand skin of children.     

Effects of benfluorex-vitamin C supplementation on cutaneous capillaries of diabetic rats

The ultrastructural changes on capillaries of the dermis in diabetic and benfluorex-vitamin C treated diabetic rats have been investigated. Three groups of 21 Wistar albino rats were used in the examination: control, diabetes, and benfluorex-vitamin C treated diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin. The streptozotocin-induced group was treated for 21 days with vitamin C and benfluorex, of which antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects were experimentally proved. Samples taken from the skin of rats' legs were examined under transmission electron microscopy. Swollen endothelial cells, narrowed capillary lumens, a thickened basement membrane, and fusion of mitochondrial cristae in the capillaries of diabetic rat dermis were seen. In the benfluorex-vitamin C treated group, contrary to the diabetic group, neither signs of degeneration in endothelial cells nor a significant difference with the control group with regard to capillary structure were observed. Amelioration in capillaries appears to be due to benfluorex and vitamin C treatment in diabetes.     

Dynamic oscillatory circuit of regulation of capillary hemodynamics

We used laser Doppler flowmetry with wavelet analysis of blood flow oscillations, computer capillaroscopy, and thermometry of the nail bed in 30 subjects to show an important role of the oscillatory circuit in the regulation of capillary hemodynamics, number of functioning capillaries, and linear and volumetric velocity of blood flow. The number of functioning capillaries is regulated by oscillations of myogenic and sensory peptidergic origin. The appearance of sensory oscillations, especially high-amplitude oscillations, is an adaptive neurotrophic mechanism that significantly increases the number of functioning capillaries and intensity of blood flow from arterioles to capillaries. The linear velocity of blood flow depends on both the tone of microvessels and changes in the dynamic component of blood pressure. Under conditions of skin hypoperfusion, the mean linear velocity of capillary blood flow may be inversely related to the extracapillary perfusion, including the amplitude of heart rate (A _h) and oscillations of the tone of precapillary sphincters, whereas under conditions of vasodilation and increased skin perfusion, it may be inversely related to the amplitude of arteriolar oscillations of endothelial or neurogenic sympathetic origin (A _maxe + n) and the shunting index. The A _h affects the linear velocity of blood flow in the arterial part of capillaries, whereas the A _maxe + n influences the same factor in the venous part. The contribution of oscillations to the regulation of the linear velocity varies depending on the perfusion and skin temperature. The resultant tone of distributing microvessels is determined by the competition between the stationary and oscillatory components. In addition to changes in the amplitude, the frequency of vasomotions may also be important. The regulatory importance of the oscillatory circuit is increased with a decrease in the skin blood flow.     

A model of oxygen exchange between an arteriole or venule and the surrounding tissue

A mathematical model is developed to study the effect of capillary convection on oxygen transport around segments of arterioles and venules that are surrounded by capillaries. These capillaries carry unidirectional flow perpendicular to the vessel. The discrete capillary structure is distributed in a manner determined by the capillary blood flow and capillary density. A nonlinear oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve described by the Hill equation is used in the analysis. Oxygen flux from the vessel is expressed as a relationship between Sherwood and Peclet numbers, as well as other dimensionless combinations involving parameters of the capillary bed. A numerical solution is obtained with a finite difference method. The numerical results obtained within the physiological range of parameters allow the prediction of longitudinal gradients of hemoglobin-oxygen saturation along the arterioles and venules.     

Microangioarchitecture of gastric mucosa in man: antrum ventriculi

The blood vessels of the antrum area of human gastric tunica mucosa have been studied by scanning electron microscopy and compared with vertical and horizontal serial sections of perfusion-fixed antrum mucosa. In contrast to previous studies on the oxyntic corpus mucosa, where two superimposed capillary layers could be seen, the antrum mucosa presents only one capillary layer. It extends from the lymphatic follicles above the lamina muscularis mucosae up to the luminal surface. No further arterioles exist in the glandular part of the antrum mucosa. The luminal aspect of the capillaries show thin, honeycomb-like capillaries, differing from our previous findings in the corpus area. There the capillaries are wide and circulate in a dense, convoluted way. Arteriovenous anastomoses again could not be seen in the examined tissue. The differences in gastric microangioarchitecture might be explained by the extent of the glandular part in both regions. The findings in the antrum area very much resemble the basal capillary layer in the corpus mucosa. The critical height for one capillary layer in the glandular tissue of human gastric mucosa is estimated to be approximately 1 mm. Larger diameters, as in the oxyntic corpus mucosa, might require a second capillary layer.     

Selected contribution: measuring the response time of pulmonary capillary recruitment to sudden flow changes.

To determine how rapidly pulmonary capillaries recruit after sudden changes in blood flow, we used an isolated canine lung lobe perfused by two pumps running in parallel. When one pump was turned off, flow was rapidly halved; when it was turned on again, flow immediately doubled. We recorded pulmonary capillary recruitment in subpleural alveoli using videomicroscopy to measure how rapidly the capillaries reached a new steady state after these step changes in blood flow. When flow was doubled, capillary recruitment reached steady state in <4 s. When flow was halved, steady state was reached in approximately 8 s. We conclude that the pulmonary microcirculation responds rapidly to step changes in flow, even in the capillaries that are most distant from the hilum.     

Microvascular Regulation of Cutaneous Gas Exchange in Amphibians

SYNOPSIS. Gas exchange across amphibian skin is regulated bythe cutaneous microcirculation. Parameters involved in regulatinggas exchange are capillary density, radius and blood flow. Changesin capillary density and radius should affect gas exchange byaltering the cutaneous diffusing capacity (D₂) while changesin capillary blood flow affect the perfusive conductance ofthe skin. A simple model predicts that the effect of capillary densitychanges on D₂ will become more pronounced as capillary densityand epidermal thickness decrease. Changes in capillary radiusshould have only a minor effect on D₂ Previous analyses havesuggested that cutaneous gas exchange is not significantly affectedby the perfusive conductance of the skin. Consequently, it hasbeen thought that changes in total capillary blood flow havelittle impact on cutaneous gas exchange. Earlier analyses, however,may have underestimated the importance of perfusive conductancein amphibian skin, primarily because functional heterogeneitiesin the microcirculation were not considered. The density of perfused capillaries is regulated in the footweb of Rana esculenta by environmental Po₂ and PCO₂, and alsoby lung ventilation. In Rana catesbeiana, capillary densityin the web decreases during air exposure. Chronic exposure toenvironmental hypoxia increases total capillary density in bullfrogtadpole skin. In Rana pipiens, regulation of cutaneous gas exchangeby environmental and pulmonary O₂ probably involves changesin total capillary blood flow.