Structural Adaptation and Age-Dependent Vulnerability of Rat Myocardium Under Carbon Monoxide-Induced Hypoxia

Carbon monoxide exposure leads to systemic hypoxia and may cause structural myocardial injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate age-dependent morphometric changes in the myocardium of white outbred rats under carbon monoxide-induced hypoxia. The study was performed on 6- and 18-month-old white outbred rats. Myocardial tissue was examined using hematoxylin and eosin staining and digital morphometric analysis. After carbon monoxide exposure, 6-month-old rats showed moderate cardiomyocyte enlargement, reduced cellular density, increased stromal-parenchymal ratio and expansion of the pericapillary diffusion zone.