Endothelial injury and platelet thrombosis in mesenteric arteries of rats: a scanning electron microscopy study

For several years, an in vivo model for the induction and on-line quantification of arterial platelet thrombosis in mesenteric arteries of a small laboratory animal species has been developed in our laboratory. In the present paper, we further document the intimal lesions and the ADP superfusion-induced local platelet thrombus as seen in the scanning electron microscope. The surface morphology of the intimal lesion, induced by electric current, shows a circular or slightly oval denuded area, affecting about 15-20 endothelial cells. The edge of this lesion is often occupied by partially disrupted and detached endothelial cells. The successive embolizations of several ADP thrombi clean this edge and augment the denuded area. The final lesion never exceeds the area of 30-40 endothelial cells. ADP-induced platelet thrombi in invariably appear as loose, sponge-like platelet aggregates, very bloodstream-lined, anchored on the denuded subendothelium. There is an excellent correlation between the in vivo light microscopic observations and the actual ultrastructure of this platelet mass.