FINE-STRUCTURAL STUDY OF REMOVAL OF EFFECTIVENESS OF BENZO-PYRONE TREATMENT OF LYMPHOEDEMA BY DESTRUCTION OF MACROPHAGES BY SILICA

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 59  (2) , 116-127
Abstract
Macroscopical, light microscopical and EM observations were made of the diaphragm, skin and brain of rats, some of which were treated with i.p. silica for 8 days (after being given it i.v. for 2 days). The diaphragms showed a most remarkable increase in fibroblast activity and fibrosis beneath the peritoneal mesothelium (which was disintegrating). Under this layer there were many disintegrating macrophages, much edema and increased protein concentration. Ligation of the cervical lymphatics produced the usual changes of lymphedema in the skin and brain. This was greatly reduced in the animals treated with a mixture of benzo-pyrones. In those animals also treated with silica, the benzo-pyrones had no effect on the amount of edema or of protein. In all the animals except those treated with silica, lymphedema was accompanied by considerable numbers of macrophages entering the affected tissues. In those treated with silica, these numbers were greatly reduced.