Thiophen induced granule cell necrosis in the rat cerebellum. An electron microscopic study.

Abstract

Granule cell necrosis was produced in rats by thiophen injection. The earliest detectable change was the formation of blebs in the perinuclear cisternae. This was followed by precipitation of the nuclear chromatin and rupture of the cell membrane. Removal of the cell debris was accomplished by phagocytic cells in the walls of small blood vessels, hematogenous macrophages and astrocytes. Many of the mossy fiber endings and some of the Golgi II cells degenerated secondarily. The degenerated presynaptic contacts of the parallel fibers were replaced by processes of the Bergmann glia which completely surrounded the Purkinje cell spines. These spines retained their usual appearance including the usual thickening of the post synaptic membrane.