The in vitro, Isolated Microvessel Technique
Vasodilation – Vasodilation of the femoral principal nutrient artery (PNA) to acetylcholine.
Before/After
Vasoconstriction – Vasoconstriction of the femoral principal nutrient artery (PNA) to potassium chloride
Before/After
Perfusion of the Vascular System with an Epoxy Resin
The vascular system was perfused with an epoxy resin to assess blood vessel density and location within the bone. The femur was made transparent for easy visualization of the blood vessels.
Bone Marrow Blood Vessel Ossification
Ossified Bone Marrow Vessels
Recently, our lab discovered that blood vessels inside the bone marrow progressively convert into bone tissue with advancing age. The corresponding image illustrates ossified bone marrow blood vessels taken from the femoral shaft of an old rat.
Microcomputed Tomography (µCT)
µCT Imaging of Ossified Bone Marrow Blood Vessels
The volume of ossified bone marrow blood vessels in the femoral shaft can be quantified via µCT (Prisby, Bone. 2014 Jul;64:195-203. doi: 10.1016/j.bone.2014.03.041). The image illustrates ossified bone marrow blood vessels in the femur of an old rat.
µCT Imaging of a Rat Tibia
Additionally, bone microarchitecture (i.e., bone volume, trabecular number, trabecular thickness and trabecular separation) is measured via µCT.
Bone Histomorphometry
Goldner’s Trichrone
Goldner’s Trichrome stained-bone section of a rat distal femur. By using bone histomorphometry, bone microarchitecture (e.g., bone volume) and bone static parameters as related to osteoblast and osteoclast activity can be determined.
Blood Vessels Inside the Femoral Shaft of a Rat Following Bone Marrow Ablation
Goldner’s Trichrome stained-bone section of a rat femoral shaft following bone marrow ablation. The vascular system was perfused with barium sulfate so that blood vessels inside the bone could be visualized and quantified.