[Ultrastructure of myocardium and permeability of cell membrane in early severe burns of mice].

Using lanthanum tracer, we investigated the ultrastructure and the cell membrane permeability of mouse cardiac muscles in the early stage of severe burns. The main pathological changes included loosening and flocculation of myofibrils, local dilation of intercalated discs, increase and degeneration of mitochondria, and edema of interstitium. Lanthanum tracer located inside the myocardial cells, which indicated that the permeability of cell membrane was increased. The present study suggested that the onset of abnormal cardiac rate and arrhythmia in early stage of severe burns probably related to these pathological changes.