Plastic Injection Method for Preparing Microvascular Corrosion Casts for SEM and its Practical Application

Abstract

This paper examines the application of the acryl plastic injection to the preparation of vascular corrosion microcasts for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The original injection method using acryl plastic was described by Taniguchi, Ohta et al. in 1952 and 1955, under the title of "New improved method for injection of acrylic resin". Three dimensional observations were undertaken in our laboratory on the angiology at the macro- and microscopic levels of various organs from various mammals employing the original method. Based on this extensive experience, an injection method for preparing corrosion microcasts for use in SEM was devised in our laboratory. Microcasts prepared by the present method were able to demonstrate the fine vascular architecture of each organ. In general, although applications for preparing vascular microcasts of isolated and parenchymal organs are not so difficult, the method can be used to be applicable for demonstrating the fine vascular architecture related to or within hard tissues, as well as for investigating the morphological relations between changes of vascular patterns and restorative changes in the surrounding tissues affected by experimental operations. SEM microphotographs are also presented to illustrate actual practical applications.

Microvascular Architecture of the Lingual Papillae in the Japanese Monkey (Macaca fuscata fuscata)

“…On five of them, acrylic plastic was injected via the common carotid arteries utilizing the plastic injection method (Ohta et al, 1990). Tongues were dissected from the injected materials and treated with 10% sodium hydroxide solution to obtain corosion casts of the lingual microvasculature.…”

Morphological Study of the Connective Tissue Papillae and the Capillary Loops on the Lingual Dorsum in the Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Model Rats

“…(2) Preparation of scanning electron microscopic specimens Six rats from each group were used to investigate the microvascular architecture of CLs in the CTPe. Acrylic plastic resin was injected via the ascending aorta by using the plastic injection method 6) . All the tongues were removed after hardening of the resin.…”

Changes in Histological Structure and Microvasculature of the Rat Tongue after Transection of the Hypoglossal Nerve

“…Acryl plastic was injected into the carotid system via cannulae inserted into the common carotid arteries by the plastic injection method (Ohta et al 1990). After the injected plastic had been polymerized by keeping it at 50°C for an hour, the whole tongue was treated with 20% Na0C1 to obtain microcorrosion casts of the lingual vasculature.…”