Vascularity in experimental oral neoplasia: a stereological approach
Abstract
The effects of topical applications of liquid paraffin and the chemical carcinogen DMBA on the blood vessels in the lamina propria of hamster cheek pouch mucosa were investigated using stereological methods. Liquid paraffin and DMBA were applied for 10 weeks and samples of mucosa were obtained after 10 and 16 weeks respectively after the commencement of applications. A systematic stratified sampling procedure was used to obtain stereological estimates of volume (VV) and length (LV) densities, mean transverse sectional area (Ā) and number of profiles per unit area (NA). Significant increases in VV, LV, Ā and NA were found in both liquid paraffin and DMBA groups when compared with untreated mucosa; values for VV and Ā were higher in the DMBA group than in the liquid paraffin group. The vascular alterations found in DMBA-treated mucosa deserve further evaluation, and are probably responsible for providing an adequate nutritional supply for a rapidly proliferating transforming cell population.