[Ultrastructural features of femoral artery myocytes during experimental leg lengthening]

Femoral arteries in mature dogs have been studied electron microscopically at various stages of the shin lengthening performed after G. A. Ilizarov method. Certain ultrastructural signs demonstrating biosynthetic and secretory activation of myocytes directed to intensification of elastogenetic processes have been revealed. Immature elastic fibers are forming around myocytes as aggregations of microfibrils, later accumulations of amorphous material appear in them. On the 28th, 42d days of distraction, hyperproduction of intra- and extracellular vesicles is noted, as well as that of intracellular matrix. Cytoplasmic islets of myocytes and intercellular connections increase in number. In the subintimal layer, of the tunica media and at its border with adventitium, longitudinally situating fasciculi of smooth muscle cells are forming. The myocytic ultrastructural peculiarities noted, the new formations of elastic elements depend, at early stages of the experiment, on changes of regional hemodynamics, and at advanced stages - also on the effect of longitudinally acting tension stress.