Skin plasma exudation and vasodilatation monitored by external detection of conversion electrons

Changes in the rat subcutaneous connective tissue after saline and histamine injection in relation to fluid storage and excretion

An experimental design was developed for morphometric analysis of the subcutaneous connective tissue after the subcutaneous injection of 0.1 ml of saline or a histamine solution (0.01, 0.1 or 1% histamine dihydrochloride in saline). The subcutaneous connective tissue of 4-week-old rats, originally 170.0 +/- 13.6 mum in thickness, swelled 5.2-fold at 15 min, 3.0-fold at 2 h, and 1.2-fold at 6 h after the injection of saline. The total cross sectional area of both blood and lymphatic vessels increased when compared to that at pre-injection (0.0186 +/- 0.0030 mm(2) in 6-mm-long specimen), 1.4-fold at 15 min, 2.2-fold at 2 h, and 1.1-fold at 6 h post-injection, while the total number of these vessels increased 1.1-fold at 2 h. The total cross sectional area of lymphatic vessels (0.0006 +/- 0.0002 mm(2) in 6-mm-long specimen) alone surged 7.7-fold at 15 min, 4.8-fold at 2 h, and 7.3-fold at 6 h. Collagen fibers were respectively highly, moderately, and mildly disorganized in arrangement at 15 min, 2 h, and 6 h after the saline injection. Histamine elicited an earlier, longer, and more pronounced vasodilatation, particularly at high concentrations. The transvascular permeability of Evans blue increased depending on the concentration of histamine. These findings indicate that the subcutaneous connective tissue has the ability to expand and store a considerable amount of fluid and reversibly returns to normal steady-state conditions by increasing fluid excretion into the blood and lymphatic vessels. It was also strongly suggested that the blood vessels are deeply involved in the excretion and volume regulation of the tissue fluid.

Modulation of the inflammatory response to histamine by terbutaline and sodium nitroprusside in guinea-pig skin

We measured the microvascular response (vasodilatation and plasma exudation) to skin prick provocations with histamine, terbutaline, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and the combinations of terbutaline and histamine as well as SNP and histamine in guinea-pig skin. The response was measured by external detection of beta radiation from transferrin labelled with (113m)In. Histamine induced a moderate microvascular response. Terbutaline alone induced a smaller response, probably reflecting vasodilatation. When added to histamine, terbutaline significantly reduced the microvascular response to histamine. The response to histamine, SNP and the combination of histamine and SNP were all similar. We conclude that the anti-inflammatory effect of terbutaline can be readily measured with this technique. We found no indication of a pro-inflammatory effect of SNP when combined with histamine. Rather, the lack of additive effect may suggest an anti-inflammatory effect of SNP on the response to histamine.

Microvascular response in guinea pig skin to histamine challenge with and without application of skin window

We measured the microvascular response to histamine in guinea pig skin. Histamine (40 mg ml(-1)) was given either as a skin prick test or applied topically onto a skin window. The skin window was prepared by applying suction and gentle warming to the skin so that a blister was formed, and by removing the top of the blister. The microvascular response was measured as the accumulation of radiolabelled transferrin in the skin in vivo, reflecting a combination plasma exudation and vasodilatation. In the control (saline) challenge, the response was slightly greater in the skin window than after skin prick challenge and the scatter was larger. Histamine challenge resulted in a significant microvascular response with respect to the control situation when measured immediately after provocation for both challenge techniques. Ten minutes after challenge, a smaller response was measured, which was still significantly greater than control for the skin prick challenge, but not for topical provocation using the skin window technique. We conclude that the microvascular response to histamine after provocation with the skin prick technique is similar to that after topical provocation using the skin window technique. The skin window technique may have a lower sensitivity than the skin prick technique owing to a higher scatter in the control situation. This difference should be considered when performing and interpreting studies of the microvascular reaction in the skin.

Time course of the inflammatory response to histamine and allergen skin prick test in guinea-pigs

Plasma exudation and vasodilatation are key microvascular features of acute inflammation. Exudation and vasodilatation responses in the weal area after skin prick testing with histamine are essentially completed within 30 min. There is evidence to suggest that vasodilatation lasts considerably longer after provocation with allergen, but there is no information on the duration of plasma exudation. The purpose of this study was to measure the time course of the microvascular inflammatory response in the skin after histamine and allergen provocation. Skin prick tests were performed with histamine, allergen (ovalbumin) or saline (control) on guinea-pigs which were shaved on their backs. Radioactive 113mIn was used to label transferrin as a plasma tracer. Radioactivity was recorded from the superficial part of the skin by external detection of conversion electrons from the decay of 113mIn. The increase in count rate, corresponding to tracer accumulation by vasodilatation and/or plasma exudation, was used as a measure of the microvascular inflammatory response to skin prick test. The microvascular response was studied immediately and up to 30 min after provocation. The largest response to histamine and allergen occurred immediately after provocation. The exudative response then gradually declined to be absent after 25-30 min. Skin prick test with saline resulted in a small response of shorter duration. We conclude that the microvascular reaction to histamine as well as allergen provocation in guinea-pig skin has a rapid onset and a duration of approximately 30 min.

Plasma exudation in the skin measured by external detection of conversion electrons

A novel technique for measurement of plasma exudation in the skin is described. Transferrin labelled in vivo with indium-113m is used as a plasma tracer. The conversion electrons from 113mIn are detected with a polystyrene crystal mounted on a photomultiplier tube. Owing to the short range of the electrons in tissue, background radiation from tracer circulating in underlying tissue will be very small, allowing plasma exudation in the skin to be detected with a high signal to noise ratio. The characteristics of the detector system are described in model experiments using sheets of mylar to simulate soft tissue. The acute inflammatory response to histamine provocation was studied in guinea pig skin. A dose-related increase in count rate representing vasodilatation and plasma exudation was detected over the skin after histamine provocation. The electron radiation system appears suitable for detection of low levels of superficial radioactivity and for pathophysiological studies of the skin.