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Differences in capillary architecture, hemodynamics, and angiogenic factors in rat slow and fast plantarflexor
Hidemi Fujino1, Hiroyo Kondo, Shinichiro Murakami
1Department of Rehabilitation Science, Kobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 7-10-2 Tomogaoka, Suma-Ku, Kobe 654-0142, Japan. fujino@phoenix.kobe-u.ac.jp
Introduction:
The capillary architecture in skeletal muscles is unique in that it has anastomoses that interconnect individual capillaries.
Methods:
We used new techniques to measure velocity of red blood cells (V(RBC) ) in both capillaries and anastomoses in situ. The volume of capillaries/anastomoses was determined, and the levels of several angiogenic regulators were compared between the soleus and the superficial gastrocnemius (LG(sup) ).
Results:
The V(RBC) in both capillaries and anastomoses was slower in soleus than in LG(sup) . The numbers of capillaries and anastomoses were higher, diameter of capillaries smaller, and tortuosity greater in soleus than in LG(sup) . Consequently, the capillary/anastomoses volume was larger in soleus than in LG(sup) . Furthermore, several angiogenic regulators (HIF-1α, VEGF, Flt-1, KDR, angiopoietin-1 and -2, and Tie-2) were higher in soleus than in LG(sup) .
Conclusion:
The differences in microvascular architecture, V(RBC) , and levels of angiogenic regulators between soleus and LG(sup) reflect the greater oxygen demands of the highly active soleus muscle.
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