[Three dimensional architecture of the microvascular systems of the skin in wound healing processes of normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats].

ABSTRACT

Fine vascular architectures in the wound healing process of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat skin were studied by scanning electron microscope with newly designed high pressure resin injection method. In the normal rat skin, the new method successfully demonstrated the hitherto unknown subepidermal fine capillary network which continuously surrounded the pillosebaceous tissues. In wound healing processes after combined resection of skin and fascia, vascular regeneration occurred from both the border and the base of the lesion. The new vasculatures from the border of dermis demonstrated concentric array of loops extending toward the center of the lesion. The direct budding emerged from the capillary network of the exposed muscle surface. Subepidermal vasculatures of the intact back skin of STZ-induced diabetic rats showed coarse and poorer network pattern. Increased number of anastomoses between arterioles and venules, insufficiently dilated arterioles distal to the A-V shunt were the other findings which may imply the increased shunt blood flow and consequent poor peripheral dermal circulation.