Periphery of ethylnitrosourea-induced spinal gliomas in rats with special reference to the vascular structure

Abstract

The histology and ultrastructure of ten spinal cord gliomas, mainly oligodendrogliomas, induced transplacentally in rat with ethylnitrosourea were studied. The characteristic feature of seven spinal tumours was distinct delineation of neoplastic tissue from the edematous surrounding zone by a ring of irregular, proliferating capillaries, among which immature capillary buds prevailed. The alterations were proliferation of endothelium with endothelial overlapping, elongation of interendothelial junctions and enhancement of pinocytotic vesicles on luminal and abluminal surfaces. The basal membranes, besides other changes, were often replaced by some floccular condensations. In the edematous zone the capillary walls were deprived of contact with glial processes. The lack of contact between astrocytic processes and vascular wall may contribute to the persistent immature state of peripheral capillaries.

VEGF Immunopositivity Related to Malignancy Degree, Proliferative Activity and Angiogenesis in ENU-Induced Gliomas

“…Eight adult Sprague Dawley rats were intraperitoneally injected with a single dose of 80 mg/kg body weight of Nnitroso-N-ethylurea (ENU; Sigma E2129 10 mg/ml in 0.9% NaCl) on the 15th day of pregnancy, as has been described previously (Kroh 1987). Sixty offspring rats exposed prenatally to ENU, and eight rats without this exposure used as controls, were reared in standard laboratory conditions (Table 1).…”