Dynamic observation of microvascular blood flow can be applied to monitoring short term or long term changes in response to diseases or drug treatment.
In this example, a fluorescent agent is delivered into the circulation of a rat. The Optiscan miniature confocal microscope probe is placed directly in contact with the liver to observe blood cells moving through tiny capillaries (hepatic sinusoids).
A drug is administered which causes blood vessels to constrict, resulting in a reduction of flow through the liver. This is directly observable in real time.
Microvascular architecture, flow, and function (for example permeability or “leakiness”), as well as movements of blood cells between the vessels and the surrounding tissue are of fundamental importance in the study of processes and disease associated with cancer, inflammation and wound healing.
Such observations can also be relevant in clinical medicine, for example in confirming response to cancer drugs which work by preventing growth of the blood supply to a tumour, or in transplant surgery where microvascular perfusion of organs is crucial to successful surgical outcomes.
Images and protocol courtesy of Dr Liem Vo, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
