Abstract
Endothelial changes in the renal and femoral arteries of rabbits induced by repeated electrical stimulation with 3.5 volt pulse wave were examined byelectron microscope. The stimulation period ranged from 15 minutes to 14 days. The animals were divided into three groups; (1) Electrical stimulated rabbits. (2) Electrical stimulated plus 1% cholesterol fed rabbits. (3) Normal controls and sham operated rabbits.
In the electrical stimulated group, scanning electron microscopic examination revealed various endothelial changes as irregularity of cell orientation, adherence of leukocytes and platelets, swelling of marginal fold and appearence of microvillied cells. The numbers and degree of these changes increased gradually and consequently a small intimal proliferation of 1-2 cell-layers modified smooth muscle cells appeared within 7 days.
In the electrical stimulated plus cholesterol fed group, endothelial changes were intenser compared with only electrical stimulation group. Foam cells appeared in the subendothelial space within 3 days and early atherosclerosis was observed within 7 days. But any foam cells were not observed in controls and sham operated arteries.
These results suggested that arterial spasm was significant as an initiating factor of atherosclerosis and that severe endothelial damages and hyperlipoidemia played the role of developing the sclerotic lesions.
