Normal Ultrastructure Of The Myocardial Collagen Network In Rats And Changes After Ischemia And Ischemia-reperfusion

Background: It has been found that the myocardial collagen network plays an important role in the heart structure and function. There are many reports of myocardial collagen fibers from abroad, but the study of the morphological structure of the collagen network is insufficient, and the study of it after ischemia andischemia-reperfusion is even less. It is necessary to do more studies.Objective: In order to understand better the function of the collagen network and provide a theoretical foundation for clinical treatment, the research about collagen fibers in rat hearts was done under electron microscope.Methods: 15 mature rats (either male or female, 250g~ 350g) were randomly divided into 3 groups, normal group (A), ischemia(10 min) group (B) and ischemia(lOmin)-reperfusion(lOmin) group(C). The collagen of myocardial interstitium was observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and by scanning electron microscope (SEM).Results: TEM observation showed that collagen fibers were abundant in Group A and morphological changes of collagen fibers occured in Group B and amount of the collagen fibers decreased evidently in Group C. SEMobservation showed that the collagen network of myocardial interstitium was composed of thick collagen fiber bundle, thin collagen fiber framework and tiny collagen fiber and the morphological structure of the myocardial collagen network was damaged in Group B and seriously damaged in Group C.Conclusion: The myocardial collagen network plays important roles in preserving the normal function of heart. Not only myocardial cells but also the myocardial collagen network should be paid attention to in order to improve the function of heart.