Microangiographic studies of denervated, reinnervated and hypertrophic muscles of rats

The behavior of the capillaries of denervated, reinnervated and hypertrophic muscle of rats was investigated with aid of microangiography. The vessels of the denervated muscle ran irregular, formed spirals and their parallel position to the muscle fibers was completely lost. The appearance of vessels after 3 and 6 weeks in the reinnervated muscle was similar to that observed after denervation. The pattern of vessels became more normal 3 months after the operation. The hypertrophic exercised muscles had an irregular course but with less tendency to spiral formation than atropic muscles. Their caliber was enlarged. The results showed that in denervated, reinnervated and hypertrophic muscle similar changes in capillary vessels develop. The vessels lose their parallel position to the muscle fibers and have a tendency to spiralization. The changes probably contributed to impairment of the circulation.