Striae distensae: histological and electron microscopic study

ABSTRACT

The present work was undertaken to study the histological and ultrastructural changes in the early stage of striae distensae which could be a guide to its pathogenesis. Fourteen skin specimens were taken from early erythematous stage of striae in ten females and healthy skin from four age matched females. Edema increased glycosaminoglycans in the ground substance, inflammatory infiltrate, very sparce fragmented and degenerated elastic fibers and ruptured collagen fibers were seen. The infiltrate was lymphohistiocytic with increased number of degranulated mast cells. Active fibroblasts were also seen. It can be concluded that mast cell degranulation could play a critical role in the elastolysis of early stage of striae distensae and that the elastic fiber is the primary target of the pathological process. Active fibroblasts begin to synthesize new fibers which became dense with time