Feinstruktur der normalen Arteriolen und ihre Alterationen nach experimentellem Colitoxinschock im zentralen Nervensystem des Schweines

Summary

The ultrastructure of normal arterioles in the brain stem and spinal cord, studied in 12 pigs aged 3 weeks to 4 months, is almost equal to that of other species. Cylinderlike endothelial bodies are also found in the hyaloplasma of the arteriolar endothelium. A Lamina elastica interna was not found in the sulcocommissural vessels of the spinal cord and the arterioles of the brain stem.

The light and electron microscopic alterations of the arterioles in the central nervous system were studied after experimental coli toxin shock using 19 pigs aged 3–7 weeks. In all animals an increase in vacuoles and dense bodies in the endothelium and marked disturbance of permeability was seen. The perivascular space was widened and filled with plasma exudate. Plasma masses were particularly present in the perivascular space of the sulcocommissural veseels, since in this space not only arterioles but also veins, venules and capillaries are located. Endothelial defects with detachment of endothelial cells were present in 6 animals. The exposed basement membrane was partly covered by platelets. In 5 of 19 animals there were subendothelial insudations and focal necroses of the media. 4 of these animals showed also osmiophilic spherical bodies within edematous astrocytes and severe extravasation into the intercellular spaces of the perivascular neuropil. The experimental lesions were compared with those of cerebrospinal angiopathy of pigs.