Elemental maps in human allantochorial placental vessels cells: 2. MgCl ² and MgSO ⁴ effects

Illustrations

Fig. 1. PIXE microanalysis of a placental artery transverse section. The lumen, in the center of the map, is bordered by the artery wall. The thick media layer, composed of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) may be seen on the large maps thanks to the contrast in sulphur and chlorine content. A zoom on the border of the lumen (140 × 140 µm² maps on the right) shows the monolayer of endothelial cells, rich in phosphorus and chlorine.

Fig. 2. Histogram plots of the ion concentrations found in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) of placental arteries. 3 groups of data are presented: specimens incubated in Hanks' solution, specimens incubated in Hanks' solution + MgSO₄, specimens incubated in Hanks' solution + MgCl₂. Error bars indicate standard deviation (* p < 0.05; *** p < 0.005).

Fig. 3. Histogram plots of the ion concentrations found in vascular endothelial cells (VEC) of placental arteries. Results are expressed in terms of concentration ratios against sulphur, taken as a reference element. 3 groups of data are presented: specimens incubated in Hanks' solution, specimens in Hanks' solution + MgSO₄, specimens in Hanks' solution + MgCl₂. Error bars indicate standard deviation (** p < 0.01).