[Stereological analysis of myocardial structures in plastic heart insufficiency]

Electron microscopy, morphometry and stereological analysis were used to examine structural components of the myocardium of Wistar rats after injection of the anthracycline antibiotic rubomycin. Using the determination of absolute summary weights of cardiomyocytes, interstitial connective tissue, vessels and intercellular space as well as of the volume and surface densities of these structures the development of involutional atrophic lesions in the myocardium was demonstrated. The connective tissue showed an increase in the population of fibroblasts, diffuse activation of protein synthesis in them and collagen synthesis de novo. The genetic relationship between abnormal regeneration of cardiomyocyte ultrastructure (plastic heart insufficiency) and diffusive cardiosclerosis is established.