Electron Microscopical Study on Skin Lesions Induced by Sulphur Mustard

Abstract

Mustard gas or sulphur mustard (SM) was applied on the dorso-caudal surface of mice to examine the effect of SM on the collagenous extracellular matrix (ECM) of the mouse skin. The animals were sacrificed on first, third and sixth days to study structural changes in the ECM of the mouse skin. Disruption of ordered arrangement of collagen bundles was observed on different days. The bundles of collagen fibres were found opened up into small fragments on the third day post-exposure. Infiltration of polymorphonuclear cells and damage to the wall surrounding the blood vessels were observed. Reformation of ordered layers of collagen bundles and the narrowing of voids were taken as indicators of recovery which became perceptible on the sixth day after exposure.