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Results for “Morphological Characterization”

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PubMed1992

Occurrence of brown adipocytes in rat white adipose tissue: molecular and morphological characterization.

Brown adipocytes are thermogenic cells which play an important role in energy balance. Their thermogenic activity is due to the presence of a mitochondrial uncoupling protein (UCP). Until recently, it was admitted that in rodents brown adipocytes were mainly located in classical brown adipose tissue (BAT). In the present study, we have investigated the presence of UCP protein or mRNA in white adipose tissue (WAT) of rats. Using polymerase chain reaction or Northern blot hybridization, UCP mRNA was detected in mesenteric, epidydimal, retroperitoneal, inguinal and particularly in periovarian adipose depots. The uncoupling protein was detected by Western blotting in mitochondria from periovarian adipose tissue. When rats were submitted to cold or to treatment with a beta-adrenoceptor agonist, UCP expression was increased in this tissue as in typical brown fat. Moreover, the expression was decreased in obese fa/fa rats compared to lean controls. Morphological studies showed that periovarian adipose tissue of rats kept at 24 degrees C contained cells with numerous typical BAT mitochondria with or without multilocular lipid droplets. Immunocytochemistry confirmed that multilocular cells expressed mitochondrial UCP. Furthermore, the number of brown adipocytes and the density of mitochondrial cristae increased in parallel with exposure to cold. These results demonstrate that adipocytes expressing UCP are present in adipose deposits considered as white fat. They suggest the existence of a continuum in rodents between BAT and WAT, and a great plasticity between adipose tissue phenotypes. The physiological importance of brown adipocytes in WAT and the regulation of UCP expression remain open questions.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1984

Establishment and morphologic characterization of normal human endometrium in vitro.

Tissue culture offers a model system with which to study the endocrine-mediated growth, differentiation, and metabolic activities of the endometrium. We have established and continue to maintain monolayer cultures of normal human endometrial epithelial cells from each phase of the menstrual cycle. At present, eight proliferative, two secretory, and two menstrual phase cultures have been established. These have been passed at least three times. One proliferative phase culture has been growing for 18 mo, and passed 10 times. Colonies of epithelioid cells as well as single cells appear in the cultures within 2 to 8 h of initial culture and maintain this appearance throughout long-term growth. The cells are periodic acid Schiff positive for carbohydrates and positive for keratin, an immunochemical marker for epithelial tissues. Studies comparing the ultrastructure of the cultures with fresh endometrial tissue revealed morphologic features common to both, including prominent nucleoli, Golgi, mitochondria-rough endoplasmic reticulum complexes, and abundant glycogen. The cells are not tumorigenic in the nude mouse and do not form colonies on soft agarose, confirming the nonneoplastic identity of the cells.

Culture Techniques↗

PubMed1994

A new model of diffuse brain injury in rats. Part II: Morphological characterization.

A new model producing diffuse brain injury, without focal brain lesions, has been developed in rats. This has been achieved by allowing a weight of 450 gm to fall onto a metallic disc fixed to the intact skull of the animal which is supported by a foam bed. Two levels of injury were examined by adjusting the height of the falling weight to either 1 m or 2 m. Two groups of animals were studied. Group 1 animals were separated into three subgroups: 10 received a 1-m weight drop, 58 received a 2-m weight drop, and 13 served as controls; all were allowed to breathe spontaneously. Group 2 animals were separated into the same subgroups: four received a 1-m weight drop, six received a 2-m weight drop, and four served as controls; all of these were mechanically ventilated during the procedure. In Group 1, morphological studies using light and electron microscopy were performed at 1, 6, 24, or 72 hours, or 10 days after insult; all Group 2 rats were studied at 24 hours after injury. Results from Group 1 animals showed that no mortality occurred with the 1-m level injury, while 59% mortality was seen with the 2-m level injury. On the other hand, no mortality occurred in Group 2 animals regardless of the level of trauma induced. However, the morphological changes observed in both groups were similar. Gross pathological examination did not reveal any supratentorial focal brain lesion regardless of the severity of the trauma. Petechial hemorrhages were noticed in the brain stem at the 2-m level injury. Microscopically, the model produced a graded widespread injury of the neurons, axons, and microvasculature. Neuronal injury was mainly observed bilaterally in the cerebral cortex. Brain edema, in the form of pericapillary astrocytic swelling, was also noted in these areas of the cerebral cortex and in the brain stem. Most importantly, the trauma resulted in a massive diffuse axonal injury that primarily involved the corpus callosum, internal capsule, optic tracts, cerebral and cerebellar peduncles, and the long tracts in the brain stem. It is concluded that this model would be suitable for studying neuronal, axonal, and vascular changes associated with diffuse brain injury.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Morphologic characterization and assessment of mitral regurgitation after repair of atrioventricular defects in children.

Severe postoperative mitral regurgitation renders information on the underlying mechanism before reoperation very important, as a potential for mitral valve reconstruction may facilitate the decision whether to reoperate, especially in the very young. This study compares the efficacy of transthoracic echo-cardiography (TTE) and left-ventricular angiography with that of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for detection of the mechanism underlying mitral regurgitation and its quantitative assessment in children after repair of common atrioventricular septal defect. Five children aged 1.5 to 16 years were evaluated by TTE, TEE, and angiography for postoperative mitral regurgitation 1 to 21 months after initial repair. TEE showed septal detachment of the mitral leaflet in four patients and reopening of the mitral cleft in one patient as the cause of mitral regurgitation whereas TTE failed in four and angiography in all patients. TEE allows definite identification of morphologic characteristics of mitral regurgitation and reliable assessment of its severity. Thus redo surgery may be safety performed on the bases of TEE findings alone without confirmation by cardiac catheterization.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1978

Biochemical and morphological characterization of mycobacteriophage R1.

Large-scale propagation of mycobacteriophage R1 in broth culture has allowed the isolation of quantities of virus sufficient for characterization of its nucleic acid and lipid components as well as investigation of its ultrastructural attributes. Analysis of R1 DNA indicates that it is double stranded and possesses a molecular weight of 2.5 X 10(7) and a guanine-plus-cytosine content of 65.7 +/- 0.5%. The lipid fraction of R1 accounts for 14% of the total dry weight of the virus, 20% of which was identified as free or esterified sterols. A rapid loss of viral titer occurred after seconds of exposure to organic solvents. This result suggests that the lipid fractions of R1 is essential for its infectivity. Electron microscopic investigation of solvent-extracted R1 showed extensive deterioration of its normal morphology, including nucleocapsid disintegration and base plate separation. Routine phosphotungstate preparations demonstrated a particle with an oval head and a noncontractile tail. Altering the pH of the phosphotungstate negative stain from neutrality damage the viral particles. Uranyl formate-contrasted specimens displayed an elongated hexagonal nucleocapsid with a neck region; the cross-striated tail possessed a starlike base plate.

Cytosine↗

PubMed1988

Molecular mechanisms underlying lymphocyte recirculation. I. Functional, phenotypical and morphological characterization of high endothelial cells cultured in vitro.

Large-scale extravasation of lymphocytes takes place in vivo under physiological conditions in lymph nodes at very specialized vascular segments called high endothelial venules (HEV). When circulating lymphocytes leave the blood, they first bind to endothelial cells of HEV (HE cells) and subsequently enter lymph nodes by crossing the endothelial lining of HEV. Although the lymphocyte-HEV interaction has recently been the subject of intense research by many laboratories, it has been studied almost exclusively by the use of the lymphocyte-binding assay in which lymphocyte binding is examined on nonviable HEV present on frozen sections and, hence, no dynamic interaction between HE cells and lymphocytes has been studied. We report herein that endothelial cells of rat HEV can be grown in vitro and that the lymphocyte-HEV interaction can be studied dynamically using viable cells in culture vessels. The identification of the cultured line, termed Ax, as HE cells was based on their phenotypic, morphological, cytochemical and biochemical characteristics, and most importantly on its in vitro behavior, particularly in terms of its specific ability to interact with mature lymphocytes. Phenotypic analysis demonstrated that not only did monoclonal antibodies, known to react with HE cells, recognize the Ax but also a monoclonal antibody raised against the Ax specifically recognized HE cells in vivo, as determined by an immunoperoxidase staining of frozen sections, supporting the notion that the cell strain, Ax, is derived from HEV. This Ax, even after long-term culture (greater than 50 passages), allowed mature, but not immature, lymphocytes to bind to the cell surface and subsequently transport bound cells underneath their cytoplasm. This phenomenon was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by various reagents known to inhibit lymphocyte recirculation in vivo. The cultured line derived from HE cells should provide a means to investigate the biochemical nature of lymphocyte-HEV interaction, and to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the large-scale lymphocyte traffic taking place in vivo.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Biochemical and morphological characterization of the nuclear matrix from apoptotic HL-60 cells.

We have characterized the nuclear matrix-intermediate filament fraction from control and apoptotic HL-60 cells. Apoptosis was induced by exposure to the topoisomerase I inhibitor, camptothecin. By means of two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, striking qualitative and quantitative differences were seen in the protein composition of the nuclear matrix-intermediate filament fraction obtained from apoptotic cells in comparison with controls. Western blotting analysis of apoptotic nuclear matrix proteins revealed degradation of some (topoisomerase IIalpha, SAF-A) but not other (SATB1 and nucleolin) components. Moreover, immunofluorescent staining for typical matrix antigens (NuMA protein, lamin B, SC-35) showed that in 35-40% of the structures prepared from apoptotic samples, marked changes in the subnuclear distribution of these proteins were present. Striking morphological differences between control and apoptotic samples were also detected at the ultrastructural level. These results demonstrate that both biochemical and morphological changes can be detected in the nuclear matrix prepared from apoptotic HL-60 cells.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2004

Physiological and morphological characterization of dentate granule cells in the p35 knock-out mouse hippocampus: evidence for an epileptic circuit.

There is a high correlation between pediatric epilepsies and neuronal migration disorders. What remains unclear is whether there are intrinsic features of the individual dysplastic cells that give rise to heightened seizure susceptibility, or whether these dysplastic cells contribute to seizure activity by establishing abnormal circuits that alter the balance of inhibition and excitation. Mice lacking a functional p35 gene provide an ideal model in which to address these questions, because these knock-out animals not only exhibit aberrant neuronal migration but also demonstrate spontaneous seizures. Extracellular field recordings from hippocampal slices, characterizing the input-output relationship in the dentate, revealed little difference between wild-type and knock-out mice under both normal and elevated extracellular potassium conditions. However, in the presence of the GABA(A) antagonist bicuculline, p35 knock-out slices, but not wild-type slices, exhibited prolonged depolarizations in response to stimulation of the perforant path. There were no significant differences in the intrinsic properties of dentate granule cells (i.e., input resistance, time constant, action potential generation) from wild-type versus knock-out mice. However, antidromic activation (mossy fiber stimulation) evoked an excitatory synaptic response in over 65% of granule cells from p35 knock-out slices that was never observed in wild-type slices. Ultrastructural analyses identified morphological substrates for this aberrant excitation: recurrent axon collaterals, abnormal basal dendrites, and mossy fiber terminals forming synapses onto the spines of neighboring granule cells. These studies suggest that granule cells in p35 knock-out mice contribute to seizure activity by forming an abnormal excitatory feedback circuit.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

The internalization of posterior subcapsular cataracts (PSCs) in Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats. I. Morphological characterization.

PURPOSE: To document lens ultrastructure during and after internalization of posterior subcapsular cataracts (PSCs) in Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats, a model for human autosomal retinal degenerative disease. METHODS: RCS rat lenses at 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, and 15 months old were enucleated and fixed. For light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), lenses were embedded in epoxy and sectioned along the visual axis. For scanning electron microscopy, lenses were dissected to expose the posterior fibers in concentric growth shells down to the internalized PSC plaques. RESULTS: Overgrowth of the plaque began between 8 and 9 weeks postnatal and proceeded from the periphery to the posterior pole. This is in contrast to PSC formation which begins centrally and enlarges radially between 4-6 weeks postnatal. Peripheral-to-central overgrowth resulted in the formation of a convexo-concave, disk-shaped suture plane oriented parallel to the capsule. The initial fibers overlying the plaque were extremely flattened at their posterior ends. However, by 3 months postnatal, fiber ultrastructure was relatively normal and displayed only minor morphological irregularities. These temporal and structural changes were used to create 3-dimensional computer assisted-drawing (3D-CAD) reconstructions and animations. TEM examination of plaques revealed scattered fiber defects such as membrane whorls, globular aggregates and intracellular voids in both the internalized plaques and the initial overgrowth. The internalized PSC plaques had comparable morphology in all animals, regardless of age. Specifically, the posterior segments of fibers were enlarged and curved abnormally toward the capsule. CONCLUSIONS: PSC plaques are not internalized and broken down in the classical cell biological sense (i. e. via lysosomal degradation). Rather the plaques retain their structure indefinitely as lens growth proceeds (albeit not entirely normally). This demonstrates that the lens has a restricted ability to respond to growth defects and effect a limited recovery after PSC formation.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2004

3-D morphological characterization of the liver parenchyma by atomic force microscopy and by scanning electron microscopy.

A comparative study of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging of the healthy human liver parenchyma was carried out to determine the similarities and the differences. In this study, we compared the fine hepatic structures as observed by SEM and AFM. Although AFM revealed such typical hepatic structures as bile canaliculi and hepatocytes, it also showed the location of the nucleus and chromatin granules in rough relief structure, which was not visible by SEM. By contrast, SEM visualized other structures, such as microvilli, the central vein, and collagenous fibers, none of which was visualized by AFM. For better orientation and confirmation of most of the structures imaged by SEM and AFM, Congo Red-stained specimens were also examined. Amyloid deposits in the Disse's spaces were shown especially clearly in these images. The differences between the SEM and AFM images reflected the characteristics of the detection systems and methods used for sample preparation. Our results reveal that more detailed information on hepatic morphology is obtained by exploiting the advantages of both SEM and AFM.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Three-dimensional morphological characterization of optic nerve fibers by atomic force microscopy and by scanning electron microscopy.

A comparative study of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging of the healthy human optic nerve was carried out to determine the similarities and the differences. In this study we compared the fine optic nerve structures as observed by SEM and AFM. The fibers of the right optic nerve of a 61-year-old man show different arrangements in transverse sections taken from the same individual 5 mm central to the optic canal and 5 mm peripheral to the optic chiasma; this difference can be recognized by light microscopy (LM), SEM, and AFM. AFM revealed such typical optic nerve fibers (taken from a point 5 mm central to the optic canal) with annular and longitudinal orientations, which were not visible by SEM in this form. By contrast, LM and SEM visualized other structures, such as pia mater and optic nerve fibers loosely arranged in bundles, none of which was visualized by AFM. The images, however, taken 5 mm peripheral from the optic chiasma show shapeless nerve fibers having a wavy course. Our results reveal that more detailed information on optic nerve morphology is obtained by exploiting the advantages of both SEM and AFM. These are the first SEM and AFM images of healthy human optic nerve fibers, containing clear representations of the three dimensions of the optic nerve.

Aged↗

PubMed1977

Functional and morphologic characterization of human T cells continuously grown in vitro.

Long-term growth (now over 13 months) of thymus-derived lymphocytes from numerous normal human bone marrow and peripheral blood cell samples was accomplished by using a factor present in media obtained from mitogen-stimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes. This long-term growth could neither be initiated nor maintained by mitogens alone. All cell cultures were greater than 90% E rosette-positive, whereas the tests for B cell markers, surface IgG and IgM, and EAC rosette were routinely negative. There was no evidence for the presence of granulocytes, monocytes, and their precursors in these cultures. The E rosette-positive cells were then tested to see if they had T cell functions. PHA, Con A, and pokeweed mitogens stimulated lymphproliferative responses in these cultures comparable to those of fresh peripheral blood cells. These proliferating cells were also able to release cell mediators, such as interferon and colony-stimulating activity. Further evidence for the T lymphocyte nature of these cultured cells was obtained from one-way mixed leukocyte cultures in which these cells responded to but were unable to stimulate allogeneic cells. The functional and morphologic characteristics of these cultured cells show that these cells are T cells that grow continuously in vitro.

Cells, Cultured↗

PubMed2004

Morphological characterization of the retina of the CNGA3(-/-)Rho(-/-) mutant mouse lacking functional cones and rods.

PURPOSE: To assess the structural changes in the retina caused by a functional blockade of rods and cones and to document the time course of their degeneration. METHODS: Double knockout mice were generated by cross-breeding CNGA3(-/-) mice with Rho(-/-) mice. Retinas of mutant and wild-type mice from 3 weeks up to 12 months of age were studied by confocal light and electron microscopy. The retinas were immunostained with cell-type-specific markers and with antibodies against synapse-associated proteins and transmitter receptors. RESULTS: In 3-week-old CNGA3(-/-)Rho(-/-) mice, retinal layers showed normal structural organization, and photoreceptors established normal synaptic contacts. Until postnatal week (Pw)7, presynaptic markers and postsynaptic glutamate receptors were well expressed at the photoreceptor terminals. Photoreceptor degeneration started at Pw4, progressing to an almost complete loss by 3 months. Rod spherules showed an increase in the number of synaptic ribbons and postsynaptic elements during this early stage of degeneration, and horizontal cell processes grew into the outer nuclear layer. At later stages of retinal degeneration, the inner plexiform layer (IPL) was also affected. Rod bipolar cell axon terminals showed morphologic alterations, but the stratification pattern of cone bipolar cell axons and amacrine cell processes appeared unaffected. Transmitter receptors (GlyRalpha3, GABA(A) alpha2, GluR2/3) showed no obvious changes in the distribution and density of their synaptic clusters throughout the IPL at postnatal month 12. CONCLUSIONS: The normal structural and synaptic organization of the mutant retina at Pw3 suggests that photoreceptor light responses are not essential for the development of the retinal circuitry. However, functional photoreceptors are necessary for the maintenance of rods and cones and their contacts in the OPL, because they degenerate almost completely by 3 months after birth. Degenerative changes can also be observed in the IPL; however, they appear to have a slower time course and by 12 months of age the IPL circuitry appears to be surprisingly intact.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Physiological and morphological characterization of parvalbumin-containing interneurons of the rat basolateral amygdala.

The basolateral amygdala (BLA) is critical for the generation of emotional behavior and the formation of emotional memory. Understanding the neuronal mechanisms that contribute to emotional information processing in the BLA will ultimately require knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of its constituent neurons. Two major cell classes exist in the BLA, pyramidal projection neurons and nonpyramidal interneurons. Although the properties of projection neurons have been studied in detail, little is known about the properties of BLA interneurons. We have used whole-cell patch clamp recording techniques to examine the physiological properties of 48 visually identified putative interneurons from the rat anterior basolateral amygdalar nucleus. Here, we report that BLA interneurons can be differentiated into four electrophysiologically distinct subtypes based on their intrinsic membrane properties and their response to afferent synaptic input. Interneuron subtypes were named according to their characteristic firing pattern generated in response to transient depolarizing current injection and were grouped as follows: 1) burst-firing interneurons (n = 13), 2) regular-firing interneurons (n = 11), 3) fast-firing interneurons (n = 10), and 4) stutter-firing interneurons (n = 14). Post hoc histochemical visualization confirmed that all 48 recorded neurons had morphological properties consistent with their being local circuit interneurons. Moreover, by using triple immunofluorescence (for biocytin, calcium-binding proteins, and neuropeptides) in conjunction with patch clamp recording, we further demonstrated that over 60% of burst-firing and stutter-firing interneurons also expressed the calcium-binding protein parvalbumin (PV(+)). These data demonstrate that interneurons of the BLA show both physiological and neurochemical diversity. Moreover, we demonstrate that the burst- and stutter-firing patterns positively correlate with PV(+) immunoreactivity, suggesting that these neurons may represent functionally distinct subpopulations.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed1991

Synaptic responses evoked by mechanical stimulation of the mucosa in morphologically characterized myenteric neurons of the guinea-pig ileum.

Recordings were made from myenteric neurons of the guinea-pig ileum during reflexes evoked by mechanical stimulation of the mucosa. Impaled neurons were injected with dye (Lucifer yellow or biocytin), and their shapes were determined. All neurons were 5-12 mm from the stimulus, a brush stroke that deformed the mucosal villi. Neurons were classified as S-neurons or AH-neurons (Hirst et al., 1974). About 40% of S-neurons oral to a stimulus responded with bursts of fast EPSPs (average frequency, 15-40 Hz); these neurons were in ascending reflex pathways. About 60% of S-neurons anal to a stimulus responded with similar bursts of fast EPSPs or slow depolarizations; these neurons were in descending pathways. Only 2 of 48 AH-neurons responded, both in descending pathways. Most S-neurons in either ascending or descending pathways received inputs from at least 2 or 3 other neurons. Action potentials evoked during a response averaged 3-10 Hz in frequency, with occasional bursts at up to 100 Hz. The speed of conduction along the reflex pathways was about 0.5 m/sec. All S-neurons were uniaxonal, but they differed in size, dendritic morphology, and projections. The axons of S-neurons injected with biocytin were followed up to 7 mm within the myenteric plexus. Three S-neurons projected to the tertiary plexus and were probably longitudinal muscle motor neurons; 2 of these were in descending pathways. Five S-neurons projected along the intestine and had varicose collaterals in some ganglia. These neurons were probably interneurons; 3 were descending and 2 ascending, and all responded in the appropriate reflex pathway. Many S-neurons had short axons that entered the circular muscle and were probably circular muscle motor neurons. Others projected several millimeters along the intestine before entering the circular muscle or fading beyond detection. From this study, we have been able to deduce the circuits mediating ascending and descending mucosa-to-muscle reflexes. It is concluded that AH-neurons are primary sensory neurons and S-neurons are interneurons and muscle motor neurons in the circuits.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Biochemical and morphological characterization of sulfur-deprived and H2-producing Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (green alga).

Sulfur deprivation in green algae causes reversible inhibition of photosynthetic activity. In the absence of S, rates of photosynthetic O2 evolution drop below those of O2 consumption by respiration. As a consequence, sealed cultures of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii become anaerobic in the light, induce the "Fe-hydrogenase" pathway of electron transport and photosynthetically produce H2 gas. In the course of such H2-gas production cells consume substantial amounts of internal starch and protein. Such catabolic reactions may sustain, directly or in directly, the H2-production process. Profile analysis of selected photosynthetic proteins showed a precipitous decline in the amount of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (Rubisco) as a function of time in S deprivation, a more gradual decline in the level of photosystem (PS) II and PSI proteins, and a change in the composition of the PSII light-harvesting complex (LHC-II). An increase in the level of the enzyme Fe-hydrogenase was noted during the initial stages of S deprivation (0-72 h) followed by a decline in the level of this enzyme during longer (t >72 h) S-deprivation times. Microscopic observations showed distinct morphological changes in C. reinhardtii during S deprivation and H2 production. Ellipsoid-shaped cells (normal photosynthesis) gave way to larger and spherical cell shapes in the initial stages of S deprivation and H2 production, followed by cell mass reductions after longer S-deprivation and H2-production times. It is suggested that, under S-deprivation conditions, electrons derived from a residual PSII H2O-oxidation activity feed into the hydrogenase pathway, thereby contributing to the H2-production process in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Interplay between oxygenic photosynthesis, mitochondrial respiration, catabolism of endogenous substrate, and electron transport via the hydrogenase pathway is essential for this light-mediated H2-production process.

Anaerobiosis↗

PubMed1998

Biochemical and morphologic characterization of acrylamide peripheral neuropathy.

To determine whether reduced Na+/K+-ATPase activity might be involved in acrylamide (ACR)-induced peripheral axon swelling and degeneration, rubidium (Rb+) transport was measured as an index of enzyme function. x-ray microanalysis was used to quantify elemental Rb uptake and accumulation in internodal myelinated axons, mitochondria, Schwann cells, and myelin of rat tibial nerve cryosections. Results demonstrated impairment of Rb uptake in tibial axons from orally intoxicated (2.8 mM ACR for 34 days), moderately affected rats. In severely affected oral rats (49 days), complete inhibition of Rb transport and frank axon degeneration were evident. However, in moderate-to-severely affected rats exposed to ACR via ip injection (50 mg/kg/day for 11 days), neither structural nor enzymatic changes were present in tibial fibers. These findings in nerve cryosections suggested inhibition of axolemmal Na+ pump activity and degeneration were dependent upon route of ACR administration. This possibility was substantiated by a quantitative longitudinal morphometric study of conventionally fixed tibial nerve. Oral ACR treatment (2.8 mM ACR for 15-49 days) was associated with progressive axon degeneration, which was preceded by atrophy. Axonal swellings were rarely (<1%) observed. In contrast, ip ACR injection (50 mg/kg/day for 5-11 days) produced classic behavioral neurotoxicity but did not alter axon morphology in tibial nerve. Thus, fiber degeneration and decreased Na+ pump activity were consequences of subchronic oral ACR administration. This parallel expression suggests a mechanistic relationship. However, the corresponding general neurotoxicological significance is unclear since, behavioral toxicity induced by ip ACR develops without structural and enzymatic changes in tibial nerve.

Acrylamide↗

PubMed1986

Morphological characterization of LH secretory granule response to LHRH and calmodulin inhibitor.

A quantitative electron microscopy study was carried out to characterize the luteinizing hormone (LH) contained secretory granules in response to exogenous luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) alone or in combination with calmodulin inhibitor (W13) in orchidectomized rats pretreated with estrogen. The plasma LH concentration rose quickly 30 min after a single large LHRH injection, and then gradually increased further until 150 min. However, the rise was attenuated by supplemental administration of W13 30 min after LHRH exposure. The mean diameter of secretory granules quickly decreased inversely to the increase of plasma LH concentration after LHRH injection. However, the mean diameter increased significantly in accordance with the complete attenuation of the increase in LH release caused by administration of W13. There was an inverse correlation between the diameter of secretory granules and plasma LH concentration. Small secretory granules with low electron density frequently appeared in castration cells after LHRH injection. It is concluded that reduced size and density of secretory granules is the main morphological standard responsible for extraordinary LH secretion from gonadotrophs.

Animals↗