Photochemically-induced vascular damage in brain cortex. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy study.

Morphological changes of microvessels of cerebral cortex were evaluated in a model of cerebral infarction initiated by a photochemical reaction. Rats were treated with intravenous injection of rose Bengal and irradiated from a halogen lamp source through an intact cranium to precipitate microvascular damage. Investigations in transmission and scanning electron microscopy revealed platelet aggregation on endothelial cells preceded by its early ultrastructural damage. Other typical microscopic features of brain ischaemic injury were present suggesting that the present method may be used as a model for investigating ischaemic brain damage. Since the photochemical activation of the rose Bengal dye results in formation of reactive oxygen species this model may be particularly useful to elucidate the role of free radical-mediated endothelial damage in the formation of microthrombi and blood-brain-barrier integrity.