Angioma Serpiginosum

Seven cases of angioma serpiginosum were examined in our clinic during a period of 15 years. A histological study performed in six of them revealed an increased number of ectatic capillaries in the dermal papillae. One of the cases, a 31-year-old woman, was studied by electron microscopy. The dilated capillaries consisted of endothelial cells, pericytes and veil cells. Walls of capillaries showed a heavy precipitation of fine fibrillar material admixed with collagen fibers. Most vessel walls were composed of two layers. The inner layer consisted of fine fibrillar material and the outer layer consisted of bundles of collagen fibers of about 40 nm in diameter. Characteristic findings in the endothelial cells were the formation of accessory lumen or slit-like protrusion of lumen into the endothelial lining. It appears that angioma serpiginosum is not a simple telangiectasia of preexisting vessels but represents a type of capillary nevus, which has a tendency to manifest itself in the form of capillary dilation and proliferation.     

Fluorographic study on the oxidative stress in the process of gastric mucosal injury: Attenuating effect of Vitamin E

Abstract In vivo oxidative change was visualized in the gastric mucosa of rats and the alteration was analysed by using a fluorescence microscope equipped with a digital imaging processor during the development of mucosal damage. Dichlorofluorescein (DCF)-associated fluorescence increased after the repeated electrical stimulation on the gastric artery (irritation), suggesting the occurrence of lipid peroxidation. The increase was enhanced in the mid-zone of two adjacent collecting venules. Allopurinol attenuated the oxidative stress in mucosa, showing the involvement of xanthine oxidase. Luminol-dependent chemiluminescence value in the blood taken from gastric vein was elevated by the irritation, suggesting that leucocyte-generated oxygen radicals also participate in this oxidative process. α-Tocopherol attenuated both the DCF activation and the increase in chemiluminescence value and prevented gastric mucosal injury. The present results suggest that α-tocopherol may be useful for the prevention of oxidative alteration in gastric mucosa.