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Electron Microscopy Of Lipid Deposits In Human Atherosclerosis, G. Pasquinelli, P. Preda, M. Vici, M. Gargiulo, A. Stella, M. D'Addato, R. Laschi

Scanning Microscopy

The filipin probe associated with tannic acid stain was used to study intra-and extracellular lipids in surgically removed human atherosclerotic lesions (n = 20). In particular, intimal thickenings, fatty streaks and fibrolipidic plaques have been investigated by using mainly transmission and scanning electron microscopy. In the intimal thickenings, the lipid deposits were mainly localized in the subendothelial space as homogeneously sized particles (40-140 nm) and more heterogeneous uni-multilamellar vesicles (35-700 nm). Intermediate lipid forms were also observed. In the fatty streaks, the lipid deposits were intracellular and mainly observed in cells with a monocyte/macrophagic phenotype. Lipid inclusions, lipid lysosomal bodies …

Bacillus-Shaped Deposits Composed Of Hexahedrally Based Crystals In Human Dental Calculus, T. Kodaka, A. Hirayama, K. Miake, S. Higashi

Scanning Microscopy

In human supra- and subgingival calculus, bacillus-shaped deposits showing various rocky-pile forms composed of hexahedrally based crystals were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The crystal size measured approximately 0.1 - 1.5 μm. The electron probe microanalysis always detected calcium, phosphorous, and magnesium. Their molar ratios resembled those of magnesium-containing whitlockite and moreover the crystals also gave the electron diffraction pattern of whitlockite. The bacillus-shaped deposits happened to coexist with the intracellular calcifying microorganisms, furthermore, oral microorganisms partially replaced by the hexahedrally based crystals were found. The crystal deposits were never seen in the surface layers of calculus exposed to the …

Endothelial Injury In Human Atherosclerosis, G. Pasquinelli, A. Cavazza, P. Preda, A. Stella, B. I. Cifiello, M. Gargiulo, M. D'Addato, R. Laschi

Scanning Microscopy

A light and electron microscopic investigation (scanning and transmission electron microscopy) was performed on 51 human atherosclerotic carotid lesions. The purpose of this study was to establish whether features of endothelial injury such as those described in animals occur in man and whether these features can be related to specific stages of human atherosclerosis.

Irrespective of their histological appearance the atherosclerotic lesions were covered with endothelium which showed non-specific changes in cell shape and size. However, all complicated lesions appeared denuded. Moreover, a peculiar interaction of endothelium with monocytes and lymphocytes as well as blood components (e.g., fibrin and lipoproteins) …