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Morphological changes in capillaries in the ischemic brain in Wistar rats
Yoshiharu Taguchi1, Shutaro Takashima, Etsuko Sasahara
1The Second Department of Internal Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Toyama, Japan.
Archives of Histology and Cytology
|December 2, 2004
Summary
Cerebral ischemia initially constricts brain capillaries but leads to significant dilation and increased density in the chronic phase. This suggests neovascularization occurs in response to ischemic events.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cerebrovascular Research
- Pathology
Background:
- Brain microvasculature is crucial for perfusion and function.
- The impact of cerebral ischemia on microvasculature within the ischemic region remains unclear.
- Collateral circulation is known to develop following ischemia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively assess serial changes in brain capillaries after inducing cerebral ischemia.
- To investigate the effects of bilateral common carotid artery ligation on microvasculature dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Wistar rats underwent bilateral common carotid artery ligation.
- Capillary diameters were measured using confocal microscopy at 3 hours, 1, 7, and 28 days post-ligation.
- Capillary density and inner/outer diameter ratios were analyzed via transmission electron microscopy.
Main Results:
- Ischemic region capillaries initially decreased in diameter (3h post-ligation) but significantly dilated by day 28 (168% of control).
- Capillary density in frontal and parietal cortices increased by approximately 1.3-fold after 28 days.
- The ratio of inner to outer capillary diameter increased in the frontal cortex 28 days post-ligation.
Conclusions:
- Capillaries dilate in the ischemic brain region during the chronic phase of cerebral ischemia.
- The findings suggest that neovascularization occurs in the ischemic brain region.
- Microvascular remodeling plays a role in the brain's response to chronic ischemia.