Morphometrical features of adipose tissue of epiploon and subcutaneous adipose tissue

Abstract

Adipose tissue (AT) is not just a passive depot of energy substrates but it is also an endocrine organ with various functions. The purpose - to identify morphometrical features of AT of epiploon and subcutaneous AT.Materials and methods: The material of the study was autopsy material - AT of epiploon and subcutaneous AT of persons with normal body mass index (18.5−24.99). Fragments of AT were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Morphometrical study was performed on a microscope «Olympus-41» with the program «Olympus DP-soft version 3.1». The obtained data were processed statistically.Results: AT of epiploon and subcutaneous AT consisted of parenchyma which was presented by adipocytes and stroma characterized by the presence of connective tissue fibers, nerve fibers and blood vessels. The average value of adipocytes number in epiploon (87.50±0.90) was significantly large in comparison with subcutaneous AT (83.25±0.37). The average value of adipocyte area in the subcutaneous AT ((2930.38±186.50)×10-6m2) was significantly large in comparison with the epiploon ((1933.75±270.77)×10-6m2). The average value of the nucleus adipocyte area did not differ significantly in the subcutaneous AT ((25.67±1.06)×10-6m2) and epiploon ((24.75±0.53)×10-6m2). The average values of the specific volume of adipocytes, connective tissue, blood vessels in the subcutaneous AT ((88.17±9.32)%, (2.67±0,24)%, (9.16±0,78)%) and epiploon ((85.83±10.07)%, (3.50±0.39)%, (10.67±0.69)%)) did not differ significantly.Conclusion: Adipose tissue of epiploon is characterized by significantly large content of adipocytes. The average value of adipocyte area, nucleus adipocyte area, the specific volume of adipocytes, connective tissue, blood vessels of adipose tissue of epiploon and subcutaneous adipose tissue are not significantly different.