[Principles of polarization-optical analysis in the study of connective tissue]

Possibilities of polarization-optic methods for studying macromolecular organization of the intercellular matrix of the connective tissue are demonstrated. Topo-optic reactions, being histochemical, make it possible to reveal not only presence of the molecules studied, but also quantitatively determine degree of their orientational regularity in the structural organization of the intercellular matrix. Determination of changes in the orientational regularity of single molecules contributes to revealing morphogenetic peculiarities of the intercellular matrix of the connective tissue, normal and under development of the destructive-distrophic process. Methodological principles of reactions to collagen, glycosaminoglycanes, glycoproteins, elastin and non-collagenous proteins are presented. Their advantages comparing certain known histochemical reactions, as well as their limitations are demonstrated. Certain illustrative material is presented.