Abstract
[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to disclose histopathological changes of the intermuscular adipose tissue of the rat thigh during experimental knee joint contracture. [Methods] Wistar male rats (9 weeks old, n=36) were divided randomly into a control group (n=15) and knee joint immobilization group (n=21). In the immobilized group, left hindlimb knee joints were immobilized with plaster casts for 2 weeks. After the experimental period, we observed intermuscular adipose tissue of the thigh under a light microscope. We divided the rats into four groups on the basis of histopathological change. [Results] In the immobilized group, fat cells of the intermuscular adipose tissue showed a tendency toward atrophy and disappearance (71%), in contrast to the control group. [Conclusion] Rat knee, joint immobilization induces intermuscular adipose tissue atrophy. The results indicate the possibility that the intermuscular adipose tissue took part in the joint contracture.
