Myocardium compensatory and adaptive reactions to incorporated radionuclides and hypokinesia

This investigation was aimed at the morpho-functional evaluation of rat myocardium after isolated or combined effect of hypokinesia and 137Cs incorporation. Histological, morphometric, cytophotometric, radiometric and statistical methods were used. The histological characteristics of rat myocardium after exposure to both factors are presented, and the differences in the mechanisms of the compensatory response are shown. The incorporated radionuclides were found to cause early cellular death, which became attenuated with the extension of exposure period. The remaining cardiomyocytes underwent structural changes and hypertrophy, while the total heart mass remained unchanged. The combined action of radionuclides and hypokinesia resulted in the aggravation of the negative effects of both factors causing more profound destructive changes in the myocardium.

myocardium, radionuclide incorporation, hypokinesia, morphometry, adaptation