Healing process from cinchophen-induced acute gastric mucosal lesion in the rat: a scanning microscopic study

The healing process in the microvasculature of cinchophen-induced acute gastric mucosal lesion was studied by the vascular corrosion casting method and conventional scanning electron microscopy. Thirty-six hours after cinchophen injection, prominent degeneration and exfoliation of surface mucous cells, along with exposure of the underlying connective tissue, were seen. The vascular casts showed leakage of resin and the occlusion of capillaries, which indicates breakage of the capillary network. One week after cinchophen injection, the denuded gastric mucosa was almost covered with surface mucous cells of irregular shape. The vascular casts showed signs of healing of the capillary network, including capillary neogenesis. The lesion was nearly healed by 2 to 3 weeks after cinchophen administration. Cinchophen induces the formation of acute gastric mucosal lesions that affect the surface mucous cells as well as the underlying vasculature. The subsequent healing process involves the regeneration of epithelial cells over the denuded areas and reconstruction of the underlying vascular network.