Action of hyperoxia on connective tissue

A general morphological, electron microscopic and cytochemical study of subcutaneous connective tissue of white rats while keeping them under conditions of increased partial pressure of oxygen was conducted. A short term action of pure oxygen at 1 ata caused activation of metabolism in the connective tissue cells without disturbance of ultrastructures. Noticeable pathological changes arose after twelve hours, later they advanced and appeared as destruction of cellular organelles, as suppression of cellular metabolism, and partially as a reduction in the activity of the oxidative enzymes. Destructive changes of collagenic fibers were noticed. Data are also presented on the structure and cytochemistry of connective tissue under other conditions of hyperoxia.