Structural and microvascular study of soleous muscle of Wistar rats after section of the sciatic nerve.

It is not well established yet the relationship between the activation of satellite cells and skeletal muscle microcirculation after surgical denervation. Trough scanning and transmission electron microscopy methods, we studied comparatively the alterations of the soleus muscle in Wistar rats after surgical denervation. Our results evidenced the activation, duplication and migration of satellite cells to the interior of muscle fibers coexisting with a raise in the capillary density characterized by a higher number of anastomosis and capillary sprouts. We conclude that the microcirculation plays a key role in the regenerative process.