Structural and functional changes of the loose connective tissue and macrophage system in experimental crush-syndrome

Cells and the extracellular matrix of the loose connective tissue as well as the macrophage system were studied in experimental crush-syndrome in 50 rats using histological, histochemical and electron microscopical methods. The results of the investigation have shown that the components of the loose connective tissue and the macrophage system actively responded to 1-hour-long hindlimb compression. Severe structural and functional injury of the cells and extracellular matrix of the subcutaneous loose con-nective tissue and of the stroma of different organs (lung, heart, kidney) was detected on dayl, was especially pronounced on day 7 and partly regressed by day 30 after the decompression. These changes included the structural damage of fibroblasts, changes in the number and degranulation of the mast cells, inhibition of RNA synthesis in plasmoblasts and lymphoblasts and the dOstruction of the collagen, elastic and reticular fibers. The num-ber of macrophages in the liver, lungs, spleen, lymph nodes was reduced on days 1 and 7 after the decompression, in some organs this effect persisted until day 20. The activity of acid phosphatase was reduced in the macrophages in crush-syndrome.

connective tissue, macrophages, crush-syndrome