Stereological analysis of absolute parameters of rat myocardium exposed to contrasting temperature effects

It is shown that different regimens of general cooling and overheating of the organism produce different changes of the volume and area of the major tissue components of the myocadium. The most pronounced alterations in the volume and area of the tissue components are recorded after overheating. A marked decrease of the volume and area of the microcirculatory bed is a regular feature of tissue reorganization in the myocardium under the influence of cooling and heating. Translated fromByullenten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, Nulo 7, pp. 91–94, July, 1995 (Presented by V. V. Lyakhovich, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences)     

Ultrastructural and stereological analysis of the gastric epithelium in wild muridae from regions exposed to anthropogenic pollution

Ultrastructural analysis of epitheliocytes in the gastric mucosa of wild Muridae captured in three regions of the Altai with various levels of ecological pollution reveals predominance of dystrophic and atrophic changes in the surface and glandular epithelium. Stereological analysis demonstrates a universal character of structural response to a complex of anthropogenic factors. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 122, No. 12, pp. 682–686, December, 1996     

Ultrastructural stereological analysis of the liver of Muridae from regions with various levels of anthropogenic pollution

Ultrastructural stereological analysis revealed the fundamental reorganization of hepatocytes in Muridae from natural ecosystems exposed to anthropogenic factors. An appreciable decrease of the volume density of mitochondria and granular endoplasmic reticulum was associated with a many-fold increase of the volume density of glycogen. The detected hepatocyte glycogenosis was characterized by a redistribution of organelles and the formation of large depots of glycogen with reduced electron density. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 121, No. 4, pp. 470–476, April, 1996 Presented by D. S. Sarkisov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Ultrastructural cytochemical analysis of cardiomyocytes in young and old rats subjected to general overheating

It is shown that regenerative plastic insufficiency develops in cardiomyocytes of young and old rats after a one-time general overheating. Atrophic and necrobiotic alterations of the cardiomyocytes together with a decrease of the heart weight are noted as well. Intracellular alterations of cardiomyocytes of young and old rats are accompanied by a marked decrease of succinate dehydrogenase activity under these conditions. There-after its activity rises appreciably in young animals during the course of postheating restitution, while in old rats the activity of this enzyme remains low. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, № 11, pp. 540–544, November, 1995 Presented by V. V. Lyakhovich, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Information characteristics of cardiomyocytes exposed to contrasting temperatures

Information analysis of the intracellular reorganization occurring in the cardiomyocytes of Wistar rats is performed after total hypothermia and total hyperthermia. It is demonstrated that the structural and relative entropies decrease and the redundancy coefficient increases after total hypothermia, indicating a reduction in the structural diversity of cardiac myocytes and the formation of a new stable morphofunctional state of these cells. There are no significant changes in the information characteristics of cardiomyocytes after a single total hyperthermia. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 5, pp. 543–544, May, 1994 Presented by V. A. Trufakin, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Intracellular reorganization and ultrastructural stereological analysis of cardiomyocytes of W/SSM rats with genetically determined cardiomyopathy

We studied ultrastructure of cardiomyocytes of W/SSM rats with inherited hypertrophic cardiomyopathy bred from Wistar rats by hypersensitivity to cataractogenic action of high galactose doses. The observed dynamics of quantitative and qualitative changes in the main sarcoplasmic organelles reflects general principles of spatial and temporal reorganization of cardiac muscle cells induced by hypertrophy of different genesis. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 128, No. 8, pp. 233–237, August, 1999     

Quantitative ultrastructural analysis of rat cardiomyocytes after a prolonged stay in the mountains

Disturbances of intracellular regeneration in cardiomyocytes (CMC) are demonstrated in rats kept for a prolonged period in the mountains. These disturbances cause focal destruction and lysis of organelles. The spatial intracellular reorganization of CMC under these conditions is characterized by an increased volume and surface density of myofibrils and decreased volume density of mitochondria, agranular sarcoplasmic reticulum, and T-system. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 6, pp. 661–665, June, 1994 Presented by V. P. Kaznacheev, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Ultrastructural reorganization of adrenal cortex in rats exposed to hypoxia and treated with nandrolone

Single and repeated hypoxic exposures induced different ultrastructural changes of varying intensity in adrenocorticocytes of rat adrenal zona fasciculata and zona reticularis. Destructive changes in cells were caused by the antianabolic effect of hypoxia and inhibition of regeneration and plastic processes. Treatment with nandrolone (Nerobolil, Gedeon Richter) diminished this effect and stimulated secretory activity of adrenocorticocytes. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 127, No. 5, pp. 588–592, May, 1999     

Stereological ultrastructural analysis of rat cardiomyocytes after total hyperthermia

Hyperthermia results in the suppression of intracellular regeneration in cardiomyocytes, manifested as intensified lysis and destruction of organelles, and leads to myocardial atrophy. Intracellular reorganization of cardiomyocytes is characterized by increases in the volume and surface density of myofibrils, sarcoplasmic reticulum, and T system. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 1, pp. 96–100, January, 1994 Presented by V. A. Trufakin, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Effects of polyphenol compounds fromAlchemilla vulgaris on morphofunctional state of thyroid gland in rats exposed to low temperature

In control rats and animals receiving polyphenol compounds extracted fromAlchemilla vulgaris, intense cooling stimulated synthesis of thyroid hormones and promoted their peripheral deiodination. In control rats, the period of recovery after cooling (readaptation period) was characterized by a compensatory reduction in thyroid function. In rats receiving test preparation, this period was characterized by significant activation of thyroid hormone synthesis and by further growth of reserve follicles that appeared during the cooling. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsyni, Vol. 127, No. 6, pp 697–699, June, 1999     

Intracellular reorganization of rat cardiomyocytes following transfer to high latitudes

It is shown that as soon as the 1st day after transfer to high latitudes, the regenerative processes are suppressed in some cardiomyocytes, this manifesting itself in lytic changes of the sarcoplasm and organelles in the perinuclear zone. After flight in the middle latitudes morphological signs of disturbances in the processes of intracellular regeneration are observed only toward the end of the experiment. Intracellular spatial reorganization of cardiomyocytes for transfer to high latitudes and for flight in the middle latitudes has a stereotypic pattern and primarily manifests itself in an increase of the volume density of myofibrils and a decrease of this parameter for mitochondria. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 5, pp. 538–542, May, 1994 Presented by V. P. Kaznacheev, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Ultrastructure of nuclear compartment in cardiomyocytes during regenerative and plastic insufficiency of the myocardium

We studied ultrastructure of nuclear compartment in cardiomyocytes during regenerative and plastic insufficiency of the myocardium induced by anthracycline antibiotic daunomycin. A peculiarity of ultrastructural organization of cardiomyocyte nuclei under these conditions is almost complete disappearance of the heterochromatin lumps. The earliest changes in nucleoli under conditions of disturbed DNA-dependent RNA synthesis are segregation of the granular and fibrillar nucleolonema components. Deep alterations in the nucleoli manifested by fragmentation and annulation correlate with pronounced changes in cardiomyocytes ultrastructure, intensive lysis of the myofilaments, reduction of the organelles, and enhanced autophagocytosis. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 130, No. 12, pp. 681–687, December, 2000     

Principal forms of acute damage to cardiomyocytes according to polarization microscopy data

The principal forms of acute cardiomyocyte damage of metabolic and ischemic genesis are accompanied by changes in the contractile apparatus, which is reflected in double refraction of myofibrils. Thus, polarization microscopy is the most sensitive method allowing one to detect the early stages of cardiomyocyte damage. Individual types of cardiomyocyte lesions are identified on the basis of parallel histological studies and polarization and electron microscopy of prenecrotic alterations and myocardial infarction using experimental and autopsy material. They are: I, II, and III degree myofibrillar contracture, intracellular myocytolysis, primary lumpy degradation of myofibrils, and cytolysis. These types of damage form the morphological basis of acute myocardial pathology with a possible outcome of coagulative or colliquative necrosis. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 121, N ^o 1, pp. 4–13, January, 1996     

Inhibition of contractile activity of cultured rat cardiomyocytes in response to reduced oxygenation

Hypoxia completely abolishes the spontaneous contractile activity of cardiomyocytes. Once the original oxygenation is restored, the cells regain their functional activity, which exceeds the control level (particularly after a 2-h hypoxia). It can be assumed that the rapid restoration of cardiomyocyte functional activity is due to the preservation of a sufficiently high oxygen content and to the compensatory activation of glycolysis. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 119, N ^o 2, p. 215–217, February, 1995 Presented by I. P. Ashmarin, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Chondriome ultrastructure of rat cardiomyocytes after apparent death and in the postresuscitation period

Twelve-minute blockade of blood circulation caused different changes in cardiomyocyte organelles, particularly in the mitochondria. The initial cardiomyocyte structure was restored within 3.5 h of the postresuscitation period. Ultrastructural changes in cardiomyocytes were observed again 1 month after resuscitation. They disappeared after 5 months. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 127, No. 1, pp. 95–100, January 1999     

Effect of repeated complete starvation on quantitative parameters of rat cardiomyocytes

Sixty-four male Wistar rats were subjected to repeated complete starvation with free access to water. Each starvation period lasted 6 days and was followed by a 7-day recovery period. The concentration of cardiomyocytes (CMC) and their total number in the left ventricle (LV) were measured after alkaline dissociation of the myocardium. The volume density of muscle fibers and their absolute total mass in the LV were determined by stereological analysis. It is shown that after 6 successive starvation periods the proliferative potential of the CMC population is reduced. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 6, pp. 658–660, June, 1994 Presented by D. S. Sarkisov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Liver cells in a comparative morphological series of animals: Ultrastructural features and their significance

A detailed ultrastructural analysis of liver cells in a comparative morphological series of animals from various classes has provided insight into how liver structure was perfected in the course of evolution. Specific features of the adaptive responses acquired by hepatocytes in different animal classes for maximizing their many functions in the framework of the existing organ structure are identified. It is shown that the adaptations found in lower animals also normally occur in more highly organized animals, and that the same adaptations developed by hepatocytes during phylogeny are used in responding to various influences exerted upon the organism. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 121, No. 6, pp. 604–609, June, 1996