U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it's official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Skip to Main Navigation
Skip to Page Content
Skip to Atlas Navigation

Heart, Myocardium - Vacuolation, Cytoplasmic

Image of vacuolization, cytoplasmic in the heart, myocardium from a female B6C3F1/N mouse in a subchronic study
Heart, Myocardium - Vacuolation, Cytoplasmic in a female B6C3F1/N mouse from a subchronic study. A focal area of cytoplasmic vacuolation of myofibers is present (arrow).
Figure 1 of 4
Image of vacuolization, cytoplasmic in the heart, myocardium from a female B6C3F1/N mouse in a subchronic study
Heart, Myocardium - Vacuolation, Cytoplasmic in a female B6C3F1/N mouse from a subchronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1). Large intracytoplasmic vacuoles are present in a group of myofibers (arrows).
Figure 2 of 4
Image of vacuolization, cytoplasmic in the heart, myocardium from a female B6C3F1/N mouse in a chronic study
Heart, Myocardium - Vacuolation, Cytoplasmic in a female B6C3F1/N mouse from a chronic study. Multiple cardiac myocytes contain cytoplasmic vacuoles (arrows).
Figure 3 of 4
Image of vacuolization, cytoplasmic in the heart, myocardium from a female B6C3F1/N mouse in a chronic study
Heart, Myocardium - Vacuolation, Cytoplasmic in a female B6C3F1/N mouse from a chronic study (higher magnification of Figure 3). Some of the cardiac myocytes have variably sized vacuoles (arrows).
Figure 4 of 4
next arrow
View all images

comment:

Cardiomyocyte vacuolation ( Figure 1image opens in a pop-up window , Figure 2image opens in a pop-up window , Figure 3image opens in a pop-up window , and Figure 4image opens in a pop-up window ) is considered to be a degenerative process, consisting of multifocal or widespread accumulation of multiple, welldemarcated, round, variably sized (primarily small), clear vacuoles. Vacuoles are found within the cardiomyocyte sarcoplasm and occasionally coalesce into larger vacuoles. Myofiber cytoplasmic vacuolation can be the only morphologic manifestation seen in cardiotoxicity or may be associated with other changes reflecting cardiotoxicity (e.g., myofiber necrosis, mononuclear cell infiltration, fibrosis), or it may be a minor component in the case of spontaneous cardiomyopathy. Ultrastructural analysis of heart tissue from chemical-related myofiber vacuolation has elucidated the primary site of damage in various organelles, including mitochondria and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Vacuole formation occurs in damaged mitochondria with loss of cristae, subsequent swelling and possible coalescence
due to disintegration of their outer membranes. In other cases, vacuolation forms from distension of the sarcoplasmic reticulum within cardiomyocytes. Electron microscopic examination may be used to positively identify the source and content of the vacuoles.

recommendation:

Cytoplasmic vacuolation of the cardiomyocytes should be diagnosed whenever present. It should be graded based on the extent of the lesion. The distribution of the vacuolation (i.e., focal, multifocal, or diffuse), as well as the location (i.e., right, left, or interventricular wall), should be described in the pathology narrative. If vacuolation is considered part of the spectrum of changes in cardiomyopathy, it should not be diagnosed separately but may be mentioned in the pathology narrative.

references:

Dunnick J, Johnson JA, Horton J, Nyska A. 2004. Bis(2-chloroethoxy)methane-induced mitochondrial and myofibrillar damage: Short-term time-course study. Toxicol Sci 81:243-252.
Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15201436

Dunnick JK, Lieuallen W, Moyer C, Orzech D, Nyska A. 2004. Cardiac damage in rodents after exposure to bis(2-chloroethoxy)methane. Toxicol Pathol 32:309-317.
Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15204972

Jokinen MP, Lieuallen WG, Johnson CL, Dunnick J, Nyska A. 2005. Characterization of spontaneous and chemically induced cardiac lesions in rodent model systems: The National Toxicology Program experience. Cardiovasc Toxicol 5:227-244.
Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16046796

Jokinen MP, Boyle M, Lieuallen WG, Johnson CL, Malarkey DE, Nyska A. 2011. Morphologic aspects of rodent cardiotoxicity in a retrospective evaluation of National Toxicology Program studies. Toxicol Pathol 39(5):850-860.
Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21747121

Rahman A, Kessler A, More N, Sikic B, Rowden G, Woolley P, Schein PS. 1980. Liposomal protection of adriamycin-induced cardiotoxicity in mice. Cancer Res 40(5):1532-1537.
Abstract: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/40/5/1532

Schmitz FJ, Rosen P, Reinauer H. 1995. Improvement of myocardial function and metabolism in diabetic rats by the carnitine palmitoyl transferase inhibitor Etomoxir. Horm Metab Res 27(12):515-522.
Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8750778

Back to top

Web page last updated on: April 19, 2017