Estudio histomorfométrico de la corteza cerebelosa con microscopia holográfica digital / Histomorphometric study of the cerebellar cortex with digital holographic microscopy

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal de la corteza cerebelosa humana, desde el punto de vista histomorfométrico, desde enero hasta septiembre del 2015, con el empleo de la microscopia holográfica digital instalada en el Departamento de Holografía Digital de la Universidad de Oriente en Santiago de Cuba, con vistas efectuar mediciones que permitieran establecer comparaciones con otros estudios. Los cálculos mostraron el grosor de las capas molecular y granulosa, el área, el perímetro, los diámetros mayores y menores del cuerpo y el núcleo de las células de Purkinje. Asimismo, se tomaron imágenes holográficas en tres dimensiones, que posibilitaron concluir la existencia de parámetros determinados mediante este procedimiento, los que no habían sido notificados y que resultan de interés en el estudio histológico de la corteza cerebelosa

A descriptive and cross-sectional study of the human cerebellar cortex, from the histomorphometric point of view, was carried out from January to September, 2015, using the digital holographic microscopy installed in the Digital Holography Department of Oriente University in Santiago de Cuba, aimed at making measurings that allowed to establish comparisons with other studies. The calculations showed the thickness of the molecular and granular layers, the area, perimeter, greatest and smallest diameters of the body and Purkinje cells nucleus. Also, holographic images in three dimensions were taken, that facilitated to conclude the existence of certain parameters by means of this procedure, those that had not been notified and are of interest in the histological study of the cerebellar cortex

[Effect of maternal diabetes on cerebellum histomorphometry in neonatal rats]

In pregnant mothers, maternal diabetes occurs when pancreas can't produce enough insulin resulting in increased blood glucose levels in the mother and subsequently in the fetus. This investigation was conducted to evaluate the effects of maternal diabetes on cerebellum of offspring of diabetic mothers [ODM], which was carried out at the veterinary faculty of Shiraz University in 2007-2008. This was an experimental study that included sixteen normal adult female rats divided in two groups. Diabetes was induced in one group by Alloxan agent. Both groups became pregnant by natural mating. At 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after birth, the cerebellum of all offspirings were collected and the weight of neonates was also measured. After producing histological slides, Olympus BX51 microscope and Olysia software were used. Various histological parameters used included gray and white matters thicknesses [micro], the number of cells in gray and white matter separately per unit [mm[2]] and the ratio of gray matter to white matter. Cerebellar parameters decreased in ODM as compared to the control group. The body weight of ODM was significantly more than that of the control group [p<0.05]. Maternal hyperglycaemia exhibited deleterious effects on cerebellum during fetal life, which remained persistent during postneonatal period. Maternal diabetes also resulted in reduction of number of cells and thicknesses of both gray and white matter

Histological study on the effect of low level perinatal lead exposure on the cerebellar cortex of adult male albino rat

Lead contaminating drinking water is most often a problem in houses. As the nervous system is the primary target for the low levels of lead exposure, more attention has been directed towards lead poisoning. To determine the toxic effect of chronic low level of lead acetate on the histological structure of the cerebellar cortex of adult male albino rats. A total number of 5 pregnant albino rats were used. Lead exposure was initiated on gestation day 6 with the addition of daily doses of 0.2% lead acetate to distilled deionized drinking water and lasted until weaning. Half of the weaned male offspring were maintained on lead treated water supply until the age of two months [treated]. The remaining half received distilled deionized water until the age of 2 months [withdrawal]. Control animals received distilled deionized water. Specimens from the cerebellar cortex were processed for examination by light and electron microscope. Lead level in blood, urine and cerebellar tissue was estimated by spectrophotometry. In lead exposed rats, Purkinje cells, oligodendrocytes and Golgi cells were affected. The number of Purkinje cells decreased. The myelinated axons showed vacuoles. Blood capillaries were affected. Lead level in blood and cerebellar tissue was high. In the withdrawal group, some Purkinje cells revealed partial recovery while others showed more progress in degeneration. Chronic low level perinatal lead exposure had toxic effect on the cerebellar cortex of adult male albino rat mild regression was revealed after lead cessation

protective role of ginger [zingiber officinale] against acrylamide induced neurotoxicity in mice

To evaluate the possible improvement in the histological and ultrastructural features of spinal cord and cerebellum of mice treated with ginger together with acrylamide. Thirty male adult CD-1 mice were divided into three groups, the first group [10 mice, served as control, the second group[10 mice] received 200 p.p.mn of acrylamide for 10 weeks [3 days/week] and the third group [10 mice] animals received ethanolic ginger extract at 50 mg/L [-5]for 10 weeks [3 days/week]. The animals were sacrificed and us sue samples were taken and processed for ultrastructural study. Acrylamide administration induced necrosis of the spinal cord motor neurons, degeneration of the myelinated and non-myelinated nerve fibers. The neuropil exhibited edema, vaculation and shrinkage of cerebellum neurons. In addition the damage of most cellular organdies such mitochondria, Golgi complex, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and irregularity of the nuclei which became peripheral in position, edema of tile neuropil and damage of the synaptic sites. On the contrary, in animals received ginger extract, the nervous tissue revealed improvement of the histology and ultrastructure of the tissues which became almost similar to tile control group tissue. It is possible to suggest that ginger may have a significant importance in protection against acrylamide induced neurological damage

Electromagnetic field effects on rat's cerebellar ultrastructure

It is known that prolonged exposure to low intensity electromagnetic field [EMF] is hazardous for biological systems. However, the effect of EMF on human being is controversial. Several epidemiologic and experimental studies have shown that EMF has a harmful effect on central nervous system of animals. Previous research works in our laboratory, using light microscopes have shown that EMF could produce morphological changes in Cerebellum. The aim of the present study is to investigate ultrastructural changes of Cerebellum in EMF-exposed rats. 30 wistar rats were exposed to 3 mT EMF for 4 hours/day in a period of 4 months. After the experimental period rats in control and experimental groups were killed and tissue samples from their Cerebella were prepared for electron microscopic studies. Statistical analysis was performed by means of SPSS software and t-test. p<0.05 was regarded significant. The results of this study clearly demonstrated that the number and size of Purkinje cells in EMF-exposed rats were decreased significantly [p<0.01]. Other changes included: condensation of nuclei, dilatation of endoplasmic reticulum, vacuolization of cytoplasm, breakdown and disappearance of crista in mitochondria in the Purkinje cells of Cerebellum. These findings indicated that long-term exposure to EMF had detrimental effects at cellular level on central nervous system of the rats

Effects of pre-and postnatal lead toxicity on cerebellar development in rabbit offsprings

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of lead on the postnatal development of cerebellum in rabbit off springs. Pregnant rabbits were divided into a control group and an experimental group. The experimental group received lead acetate in a dose of 15 mg /kg B.W. by intragastric intubation. Lead administration was continued to the rabbit offspring. Exposure to lead resulted in an increase in the thickness of the external granular layer in comparison to control group. This layer disappeared at 3 months control rabbits while it was still present in exposed animals of the same age. Also the molecular layer of exposed animals was affected where it became decreased in thickness. Moreover administration of lead affected the Purkinje cells where they became decreased in size with indistinct Nissl granules, marked shortening of dendrites and focal loss of them. Lead, also, resulted in decreased thickness and density of the internal granular layer. Moreover, there were oedema, cavitations and foci of calcification. From the previous findings, it could be concluded that lead has degenerative changes on the cerebellar development

Sporadic creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. A clinical-neuropathological analysis of nine definite cases

The authors have analyzed clinico-neuropathologically nine cases of the definite sporadic form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). All cases were female, with mean age of 62.7 years. Eighty-nine percent of the patients exhibited prodromal and initial psychiatric symptoms; definite signs of dementia, and myoclonus were present in 100 per cent of cases. The EEG was abnormal in all cases and pseudoperiodic paroxysms were present in 56 per cent of the patients. Their evolution time ranged from 3 to 19 months. Neuropathologically, brain and cerebellar atrophy, spongiosis, astrocytosis and neuronal loss were present in 100 per cent of the patients. In 5 (56 per cent) of these 9 cases, prion protein (PrP) amyloid plaques were detected in the cerebellum, by optical- and electronmicroscopy. There was a positive correlation between the number of plaques and the evolution time. The authors outline the similarities of their cases in the elderly with the new variant of CJD described in young people.