Dynamic changes in type and distribution of collagen fibers healing using Picric-sirius red polarized light method

Peng REN; Fa SUN; Honghui LI

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Pathological changes of form and structure are induced in some tissues during repairing albuginea penis trauma, while structure and component of collagen fiber will be correspondingly changed necessarily.

OBJECTIVE:

To find a convenient, shortcut, and sensitive method to observe the dynamic change of type and distribution of collagen fiber during albuginea penis healing. DESIGN, TIME AND

SETTING:

A contrast study was performed at the Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, Guiyang Medical College between June 2005 and October 2007. MATERIALS Fifteen male New Zealand rabbits were used in this study.

METHODS:

All rabbits underwent an excision of albuginea sizing 5 mm×5 mm at dorsal penis to establish models of albuginea penis trauma, and then the excision was sutured in situ. Thereafter, albuginea penis was obtained from five rabbits once after 2, 6, and 12 weeks. The samples were treated with picric-sirius red staining and observed under polarizing microscope. MAIN OUTCOME

MEASURES:

Dynamic changes of area of collagen fiber during albuginea penis healing.

RESULTS:

There were significant differences in content of the same collagen fiber at different time points (P<0.05). At 2 weeks post-trauma, both type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ collagen fibers were observed, and the ratio was equal, but the arrangement was confused and disorder. At 6 weeks post-trauma, red and yellow type Ⅰ collagen fiber was apparently increased, but type Ⅲ collagen fiber was decreased, and the arrangement was still disorder. At 12 weeks post-trauma, thick, bright red and yellow type Ⅰ collagen fiber was rapidly increased, but thin and green type Ⅲ collagen fiber was rapidly decreased.

CONCLUSION:

Picric-sirius red polarized light method can not only differentiate types of collagen fiber, but also clearly display the distribution, form and proportion of type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ collagen fiber, characterizing by simple, convenient, specific, and highly sensitive.