Ultrastructural alterations in submandibular glands of rats: rattus norvegicus submitted to experimental chronic alcoholism

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las glándulas submandibulares de ratones (Rattus norvegicus) sometidos al alcoholismo crónico experimental, utilizando el microscopio electrónico de transmisión. El experimento fue programado para un período de 15 meses. Cada 5 meses, 3 animales de cada grupo fueron sacrificados. Utilizamos 27 ratones (machos) adultos, con peso de 400g los cuales fueron divididos en tres grupos experimentales: 1) Alcohólico, el cual recibió etanol diluido al 6 por ciento por 15 meses: 2) Isocalórico que recibió sacarosa diluida en concentración de 87,14 g/L, correspondiendo energéticamente al contenido calórico del grupo alcohólico, y 3) Control, el cual recibió agua de grifo ad libitum como dieta líquida. Los animales de todos los grupos fueron alimentados con una dieta sólida establecida semanalmente, que consistió en idéntica ración de Purina. Observamos varias alteraciones ultraestructurales, principalmente, en las células seromucosas: dilatación y ensanchamiento de las cisternas del complejo de Golgi, presencia de vacuolas digestivas, un gran número de vesículas electrodensas, aumento en el espacio intercelular, aumento entre las interdigitalizaciones basolaterales de las células y ensanchamiento del tejido conjuntivo. Además, observamos en algunas células de los ductos interpuestos en la posición más baja de sus membranas laterales, tras 15 meses de tratamiento, la presencia de vesícula claras y llenas de material electrodenso localizados entre los gránulos de secreción de las células de los ductos granulares. No observamos ninguna alteración en los animales los grupos control e isocalóricos, así como en otras partes del parénquima glandular de los animales del grupo alcoholizado

Scanning electron microscopy study of the choroid plexus in the monkey (Cebus apella apella)

The cells of the choroid plexus of the lateral ventricles of the monkey Cebus apella apella were examined through scanning electron microscopy at contributing to the description of such structures in primates. The animals were anesthetized previously with 3 percent hypnol intraperitoneally and after perfusion with 2.5 percent glutaraldehyde, samples of the choroid plexus were collected after exhibition of the central portion and inferior horn of the lateral ventricles. The ventricular surface of those cells presents globose form as well as fine interlaced protrusions named microvilli. Among those, it is observed the presence of some cilia. Resting on the choroid epithelial cells there is a variable number of free cells, with fine prolongations which extend from them. They are probably macrophages and have been compared to Kolmer cells or epiplexus cells, located on choroid epithelium. The choroid plexus of the encephalic lateral ventricles of the monkey Cebus apella apella at scanning electron microscopy is similar to that of other primates, as well as to that of other species of mammals mainly cats and rats, and also humans

Ultrastructural alterations of choroid plexuses of lateral ventricles of rats (Rattus norvegicus) submitted to experimental chronic alcoholism

Adult male rats (Wistar lineage) were alcoholized with sugar cane liquor diluted at 30(0) GL during 300 days and sacrificed every 60 days in 5 stages. Samples of choroid plexuses of lateral ventricles were collected and examined at transmission electronic microscope to detect possible ultrastructural alterations and to raise possible pathological correlations. Gradual changes were observed in these animals during all the experiment: dilatation and enlargement of cisternae of Golgi complex, dilatation of RER, presence of digestive vacuoles and a large amount of pinocytic vesicles as well as vesicles with electronlucent content throughout cytoplasm, as well as an enlargement of intercellular space between basolateral interdigitation of the cells and of the connective tissue. The changes observed in the epithelium and connective tissue of choroid plexuses specially in 240 and 300 days of treatment are presumably due to a disturbance in hydroelectrolitic homeostasis, contributing to several morpho-functional disturbs of central nervous system. No changes were observed in the control group animals.

Morphology of the walls of the cavernous sinus of Cebus apella (tufted capuchin monkey)

The morphology of the dura mater and its relatioship with the structures of the cavenous sinus were analyzed in five tuftel capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) using histological sections, showing that the walls of the cavenous sinus of this species are similar to those of other primates, including man. Except for the medial wall of the cavernous sinus, the remaining walls consist of two distinct dura mater layers. The deep layer of the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus is contiguous to the sheath of the oculomotor, trochlear and ophtalmic nerves. Arterioles, venous spaces, neuronal bodies and nervous fiber bundles are found on this lateral wall.

Morphometric analysis by light microscopy of the choroid epithelium of the lateral ventricles of rats (Rattus norvegicus) submitted to chronic experimental alcoholism

The secretory epithelium of the choroid plexus of thelateral ventricles of male Wistar rats submitted to chronic alcoholism for a period of 300 days was analyzed morphometrically by light microscopy. The mean height of the choroid epithelium was determined for control (C), alcoholic (A) and abstemious (Ab) groups throughout the experimental period. A slight hypertrophy was observed for the animals of the A and Ab groups up to 240 days of treatment compared to the C group.At 300 days of treatment a reduction in mean height of the choroid epithelium was observed in Ab animals when compared to A animals after the same period of treatment.

Estudo anatômico e morfométrico dos vasos que constituem o Polígono de Willis / Anatomical and morphometric study of the vessels that constituing the Circle of Willis

A avaliaçao do calibre médio das artérias formadoras do Polígono de Willis, a porcentagem de anormalidades no diâmetro dessas artérias, segundo critérios estabelecidos na literatura, e o estudo das correlaçoes entre diferentes parâmetros, como fluxo potencial, volume, peso e algumas dimensoes do encéfalo foram analisadas em 50 indivíduos brasileiros, adultos, de ambos os sexos. A possível compensaçao anastomótica relativa a alteraçao de calíbre também foi avaliada. Foram observadas 11 anormalidades (2,2 por cento) em 9 encéfalos, com maior incidência na a artéria cerebral posterior (7 casos). Em 3 polígonos nao foi constatada a artéria comunicante anterior e em 1 caso a artéria cerebral anterior direita originava-se da artéria cerebral anterior esquerda. As artérias comunicantes exibiram maior coeficiente de variaçao demonstrando sua importância na manutençao do fluxo cerebral. O peso encefálico foi, em média, de 1075g e os diâmetros transversais frontal e parietal foram de 1O,7cm e 12,5cm respectivamente, em média. Foi observada correlaçao inversa significativa entre os diâmetros das artérias comunicante posterior direita e artéria cerebral posterior direita. Esta correlaçao nao foi demonstrada no antímero esquerdo. Nao foram observadas correlaçoes significativas entre artérias basilar e comunicantes posteriores e entre fluxo potencial e volume ou peso encefálicos. As artérias carótidas internas e cerebrais anteriores, basilar e cerebrais posteriores, comunicante anterior e cerebrais anteriores, cerebrais posteriores e carótidas homolaterais demonstraram correlaçoes diretas de calibre.