MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN MUSCLE FIBERS AFTER THERMAL BURNS IN LABORATORY RATS

Abstract

Purpose of the study: Thermal burns cause various accelerated catabolic processes in the body, as the body tries to repair the damaged area. In this study, changes in the morphology of muscle fibers at the injured site were studied. Research methods: thirty laboratory rats were used. They were divided into control (C) and injured (I) groups. Rats in group J were thermally burned over 45% of body surface area standardized by body weight. Rats in both groups were euthanized four, seven, and 14 days after injury. Medial parts of the medial gastrocnemius muscles were cut and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Then histological analysis was performed. Results and Discussion: The control rats showed normal muscle characteristics with evenly distributed and polygonal muscle fibers with peripheral nuclei. However, these characteristics were not observed in the rats in the injured group. It was found that many fibers in them are round in outline. In addition, the amount of connective tissue was significantly increased in the rats in the injured group. Conclusion: This experimental model was found to be effective in histological assessment of morphological changes in muscles after thermal burns of 45% of the body surface area.