ULTRASTRUCTURAL STUDIES OF ELASTOTIC MATERIAL AND ELASTIC FIBERS IN AGED SKIN BEFORE AND AFTER AUTOCLAVING

[摘要] Elastotic material and aged elastic fibers of patients with solar elastosis was studied before and after autoclaving using tannic acid as well as the conventional stain. The amorphous matrix of the elastotic material and the elastic fibers stained positive with the tannic acid stain. Light microscopy and EM showed electron-dense inclusions in the fibrous form of elastotic material and in the elastic fibers. The amorphous matrix remained unchanged after autoclaving while microfibrils were removed. In the amorphous form the fine granular component and round bodies were removed after autoclaving and the moderately electron-dense amorphous component with a reticular or net-like appearance remained. It is suggested that elastotic degenerative changes are expansions of the electron-dense inclusions to form a larger part of the fiber; transformations of the inclusions into moderately electron-dense material, composed mainly of a fine granular component and an amorphous one; and disorganization of the moderately electron dense material.