Related Experiment Videos
Pulmonary capillary density in rats given monocrotaline. A cast corrosion study
1Department of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago 60680.
The American Review of Respiratory Disease
|November 1, 1989
Summary
Monocrotaline exposure reduces lung microvascular density in rats, potentially causing pulmonary hypertension. This study quantifies vessel loss using corrosion casts and microscopy, suggesting thrombosis as a cause.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Hypertension Research
- Experimental Pathology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Pulmonary hypertension mechanisms are debated, with vessel loss a potential factor.
- Previous studies on monocrotaline effects on pulmonary arteries yielded controversial results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of monocrotaline on overall lung microvascular density.
- To explore the potential role of microvascular loss in monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension.
Main Methods:
- Rats were treated with monocrotaline (60 mg/kg) or saline.
- Lung vasculature was corrosion-casted with methylmethacrylate.
- Vascular density was quantified using scanning electron microscopy and gray-scale analysis.
Main Results:
- Monocrotaline treatment significantly reduced vascular density index on both alveolar (0.40 vs 0.48) and pleural (0.51 vs 0.67) surfaces.
- No significant difference in vascular density was observed between different monocrotaline doses.
- Microscopy indicated capillary and small vessel thrombosis may underlie the observed density reduction.
Conclusions:
- Monocrotaline significantly decreases lung microvascular density in experimental animals.
- Thrombosis in capillaries and small vessels is a likely mechanism for this microvascular loss.
- Findings contribute to understanding monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension.