ABSTRACT
Changes in the electromyograms and motor nerve conduction velocities in 12 patients with diabetic amyotrophy suggested mild distal and moderate proximal neuropathy in the lower limbs. Histological and histochemical findings in the vastus medialis muscles were consistent with denervation. Electron microscopical examination of the vastus medialis muscles in 6 patients revealed myofibrillar degeneration. One patient had abnormal mitochondria and tubular aggregates. The basement membranes of the intramuscular capillaries were thickened in all but 1 patient. Histochemical staining of the myoneural junctions showed changes consistent with degeneration and regeneration. We conclude that diabetic amyotrophy is a distinct clinical entity and is secondary to metabolic derangement rather than diabetic microangiopathy.
Subject(s)
Diabetic Neuropathies/physiopathology , Muscle Hypotonia/physiopathology , Muscular Atrophy/physiopathology , Adult , Aged , Blood Glucose/metabolism , Diabetic Neuropathies/metabolism , Diabetic Neuropathies/pathology , Electromyography , Humans , Leg/innervation , Male , Middle Aged , Motor Neurons/physiology , Muscle Hypotonia/metabolism , Muscle Hypotonia/pathology , Muscles/metabolism , Muscles/ultrastructure , Muscular Atrophy/metabolism , Muscular Atrophy/pathology , Neural Conduction , Spinal Nerves/physiopathology , Synaptic TransmissionSubject(s)
Cell Nucleus , Muscles/ultrastructure , Animals , Cell Fractionation/methods , Cell Nucleus/analysis , Cell Nucleus/enzymology , DNA/analysis , DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases/metabolism , In Vitro Techniques , Male , Microscopy, Electron , Microscopy, Phase-Contrast , Muscle Proteins/analysis , Muscles/analysis , Muscles/enzymology , RNA/analysis , RatsABSTRACT
Normal human peripheral-blood lymphocytes were irradiated with a dose of X-rays and processed for electron microscopic examination at different times after irradiation. A localized protrusion of the plasma membrane of the irradiated lymphocytes was observed in samples fixed as early as 15 min after irradiation, suggesting that the injury to the plasma membrane could have occurred during or immediately after irradiation. This was followed by fenestration of the plasma membrane, rarefaction of the cytoplasm and accumulation of cytoplasmic organelles in the centrosphere region. Localized distention of the outer nuclear envelope occurred after 2 hours and invagination of the inner nuclear membrane after 4 hours of irradiation. By 24 hours, the cytoplasmic and nuclear ultrastructural integrity was lost. The study suggested that, for high doses of X-radiation, the plasma membrane of the human peripheral-blood lymphocytes was the most sensitive target.
Subject(s)
Lymphocytes/radiation effects , Cell Membrane/radiation effects , Cell Membrane/ultrastructure , Cell Nucleus/radiation effects , Cell Nucleus/ultrastructure , Cytoplasm/radiation effects , Cytoplasm/ultrastructure , Endoplasmic Reticulum/ultrastructure , Golgi Apparatus/radiation effects , Golgi Apparatus/ultrastructure , Humans , In Vitro Techniques , Lymphocytes/ultrastructure , Mitochondria/radiation effects , Mitochondria/ultrastructure , Nuclear Envelope/radiation effects , Nuclear Envelope/ultrastructure , Vacuoles/radiation effects , Vacuoles/ultrastructure , X-RaysABSTRACT
A blood protein in complex with native chylomicrons was labeled with radiogold colloid, thus indirectly identifying the protein material in the complex as opsonin and suggesting the possibility that native chylomicrons may utilize the opsonin system for its clearance from the circulation. The protein in question has been shown to be at least divalent, in that the protein in combination with one type of particle could still react with another. It is felt that these studies provide further insight into the complex surface events that result during the process of opsonization.
