[The effect of long-term hypokinesia on the course of pathological processes in animals]

Reported are results of studying the development of pathology in rats and rabbits. Immobilization was found to markedly influence super-heating, local inflammation, and fever. In superheated animals, rise in the rectal temperature in the experiment and control proceeded at a similar speed; however, recovery of temperature in the control rats progressed significantly slower due to, probably, the hyper-compensatory reaction of animals to the thermal exposure. Life span of the control animals following heat exposure amounted to 160 +/- 13 min with a 100% lethality, whereas in the experimental animals the lethality rate was essentially lower and they lived much longer before death. At all times symptoms of inflammation in the experimental animals were more distinct and complications on the background of immobilization were more frequent and severe; edema of tissues exceeded that in the control by 36.6-49.0%. Local hyperthermia also was greater by 1.1-1.4 degrees C compared with the control. Observed was higher frequency of secondary infections and complications. According to the pathomorphological examinations, immobilization enhanced the alterative processes, inhibited formation of the demarcation area, suppressed melting of necrotic masses and engendered other signs of more serious pathology. Analysis of the course of pyrogenous fever evidenced shortening of the T upward phase and extension of the post-peak fever as an effect of long-term immobilization.