Evagination of vascular smooth muscle cells during the early stages of Crotalaria pulmonary hypertension. 1978

P Smith, and D Heath

Fifteen adult female Wistar albino rats were fed on a diet containing powdered Crotalaria spectabilis seeds for periods of up to 5 wk. Electron microscopic studies were carried out on the lungs of these animals and also of three control rats. Both groups of animals showed protuberances of smooth muscle cells. In the control rats such protuberances were small and filled out spaces created by undulation of the internal elastic lamina produced by collapse of the vessel. These protuberances could be prevented by fixing the lung in distension. Evaginations of smooth muscle cells in the test rats were larger, devoid of myofilaments and organelles and arose from the parent cell between dense attachment points on the sarcolemma. Frequently they arose through a narrow cytoplasmic isthmus and had such electron-lucent contents as to resemble a cyst within the endothelium. In fact they pressed onto the undersurface of endothelial cells which fitted over them like a cap. Such evaginations are thought to arise as a result of sustained vasoconstriction.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D006976 Hypertension, Pulmonary Increased VASCULAR RESISTANCE in the PULMONARY CIRCULATION, usually secondary to HEART DISEASES or LUNG DISEASES. Pulmonary Hypertension
D008854 Microscopy, Electron Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen. Electron Microscopy
D009130 Muscle, Smooth Unstriated and unstriped muscle, one of the muscles of the internal organs, blood vessels, hair follicles, etc. Contractile elements are elongated, usually spindle-shaped cells with centrally located nuclei. Smooth muscle fibers are bound together into sheets or bundles by reticular fibers and frequently elastic nets are also abundant. (From Stedman, 25th ed) Muscle, Involuntary,Smooth Muscle,Involuntary Muscle,Involuntary Muscles,Muscles, Involuntary,Muscles, Smooth,Smooth Muscles
D010947 Plants, Toxic Plants or plant parts which are harmful to man or other animals. Plants, Poisonous,Plant, Poisonous,Plant, Toxic,Poisonous Plant,Poisonous Plants,Toxic Plant,Toxic Plants
D011651 Pulmonary Artery The short wide vessel arising from the conus arteriosus of the right ventricle and conveying unaerated blood to the lungs. Arteries, Pulmonary,Artery, Pulmonary,Pulmonary Arteries
D011667 Pulmonary Veins The veins that return the oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart. Pulmonary Vein,Vein, Pulmonary,Veins, Pulmonary
D011763 Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids A group of ALKALOIDS, characterized by a nitrogen-containing necine, occurring mainly in plants of the BORAGINACEAE; COMPOSITAE; and LEGUMINOSAE plant families. They can be activated in the liver by hydrolysis of the ester and desaturation of the necine base to reactive electrophilic pyrrolic CYTOTOXINS. Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid,Senecio Alkaloid,Senecio Alkaloids,Alkaloid, Pyrrolizidine,Alkaloid, Senecio,Alkaloids, Pyrrolizidine,Alkaloids, Senecio
D004727 Endothelium A layer of epithelium that lines the heart, blood vessels (ENDOTHELIUM, VASCULAR), lymph vessels (ENDOTHELIUM, LYMPHATIC), and the serous cavities of the body. Endotheliums
D005260 Female Females
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia

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