[Ultrastructure of the smooth muscle cells of the femoral artery in rats exposed to vibration].

Electron microscopic study of femoral arteries of white rats exposed to prolonged general vibration at a frequency of 100 Hz with an amplitude of 0.5-0.7 mm has been performed. Light and dark smooth muscle cells, as well as unchanged cells have been found in the vascular media of experimental animals. Light cells are swollen with destroyed myofilaments and great number of microtubules in cytoplasm. Dark cells are characterized by coagulation necrosis and melting of myofilaments. Vibration was shown to cause marked structural changes in smooth muscle cells mitochondria: destruction of internal and external membranes, increasing matrix osmophilia or swelling of mitochondria accompanied by crista fragmentation, as well as matrix clarification and disappearance. Morphometric analysis indicates a considerably decreased energy production by smooth muscle cell mitochondria. It has been concluded that vibrations have a damaging effect on medial smooth muscle cells of the femoral artery in the experimental animals.