Purpose: The article is devoted to study the structural changes in the skeletal muscles caused by heavy metal salts.
Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 72 mature male rats. The experimental groups were given to drink water with combinations of heavy metal salts for one, two and three months. This type of water is typical for the water basins in the northern districts of the Sumy region. The study of morphological changes in the striated muscles was concluded using light and scanning electron microscopy.
Results: The data analysis revealed that a prolonged duration of negative factor could intensify sclerotic and edematous processes. The structure of muscle fibers was destroyed, nuclei were deformed and placed irregularly, and many petechial hemorrhages occurred. Besides, cross-striation was irregular, I and A bands were deformed and destroyed, H band was hardly visualized. The inner mitochondrial membrane and cristae become deformed. The symplastic nuclei were placed irregularly within sarcoplasm. Besides, they were swollen. Against swollen and enlarged symplastic nuclei, pyknotic nuclei were also found. The structures of sarcoplasmic reticulum were mainly dilated with deformed and ruptured areas.
Conclusion: Our study approves that high concentrations of heavy metal salts have a destructive influence on the skeletal striated muscles.
Keywords: electron microscope; heavy metal salts; rats; striated muscle; ultrastructure.