STUDIES ON THE FINE VESSELS IN THE HEALING PROCESS OF ACETIC ACID ULCER IN THE RAT STOMACH

Scanning Electron Microscopic Studies Using Plastic Vascular Models

Abstract

With regard to the healing process of gastric ulcers, the role and contribution of the mucosa adjacent to the ulcer as well as the granulation tissue in it's basis were assessed in terms of the vasculature and vascular communication with each other as observed under the scanning electron microscope.
Plastic models were made of the vasculature of gastric ulcers produced in rats by the topical application of acetic acid. The models were then coated with gold. Subsequently, they were observed under the scanning electron microscope.
The regenerating mucosa was observed to keep blood circulation not only with the mucosa adjacent to the ulcer but also with the granulation tissue in the basis of the ulcer. Along with the healing process of ulcers, the capillary vessels in regenerating mucosa were observed to anastomose with the small vessels in the granulation tissue, the latter being supplied from the adjacent submucosa. Formation of meshed vasculature in the regenerating mucosa were delayed in antral ulcers, compared with that in fundic ulcers.