Appearance of the capillary endothelial glycocalyx in chronically stimulated rat skeletal muscles in relation to angiogenesis

The endothelial glycocalyx layer of capillaries was stained with Ruthenium Red and examined by transmission electron microscopy in rat extensor hallucis proprius muscles after 2 or 4 days of indirect electrical stimulation via implanted electrodes. The layer appeared continuous on the luminal surface of 63% capillaries in control muscles and absent 13%. This situation was reversed in muscles stimulated for 2 or 4 days, with a continuous layer in 12 and 10% of capillaries and no glycocalyx in 44 and 58%, respectively. The greater disruption of the endothelial luminal glycocalyx in capillaries from stimulated muscles suggests that flow-related shear forces on endothelial cells could be important signals for initiation of angiogenesis in actively contracting skeletal muscle.