Mediator-Induced Changes in Macromolecular Permeability in the Rat Mesenteric Microcirculation

An intravital fluorescence microscopic method for measurement of changes in macromolecular permeability has been established in the mesenterial microcirculation of the rat. After exteriorization of the fat-free distal part of the ileal mesentery, a 1-hr period of stabilization was followed by the injection of FITC-labeled macromolecules. Five minutes later, histamine, leukotriene B4, or leukotriene C4 was topically applied to the tissue by means of a micromanipulator. Areas of 1 mm2 were videotaped with a SIT camera. The fluorescence intensity of these areas was measured by an analogous video image processing system and displayed as gray value histograms. The shift of the frequency of gray …