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Variations in rat mesenteric tissue thickness due to microvasculature
B J Barber1, J Oppenheimer, D C Zawieja
1Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226.
The American Journal of Physiology
|October 1, 1987
Summary
Tissue thickness variations can affect microvascular transport studies. This research quantifies rat mesentery thickness, finding an average of 17.4 microns with minimal variation in avascular regions but increased thickness near blood vessels.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Microcirculation Research
- Biomedical Optics
Background:
- Microscopic transport studies (microphotometry, microfluorometry) are susceptible to artifacts from tissue thickness variations.
- The Lambert-Beer law (absorbance) and microfluorometry signal intensity are directly influenced by sample path length (thickness).
- Previous estimates suggest rat mesentery is 15-30 microns thick, but regional variations are not well-characterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify thickness variations in avascular, fat-free rat mesenteric tissue.
- To assess thickness changes in mesenteric regions adjacent to microvasculature.
- To determine the average thickness of rat mesenteric tissue.
Main Methods:
- Anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats were used, with mesenteric tissue isolated.
- Tissue thickness was measured using an oblique microscope and a microgravimetric technique.
- Measurements focused on avascular fat-free regions and areas near blood vessels.
Main Results:
- Avascular, fat-free mesenteric tissue exhibited an average thickness of 17.4 microns.
- The average thickness variation in avascular regions was 1.1 micron per 100 microns.
- A significant increase in tissue thickness was observed over microvascular structures.
Conclusions:
- Rat mesenteric tissue thickness is relatively consistent in avascular areas but increases near blood vessels.
- These thickness variations must be considered to avoid artifacts in microvascular, tissue, and lymphatic transport studies.
- Accurate thickness measurements are crucial for reliable interpretation of microphotometric and microfluorometric data.