Disruption of cellular elements and water in neurotoxicity: Studies using electron probe X-ray microanalysis

Journal Article · Sat Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0041-008X(90)90333-P· OSTI ID:6148196

LoPachin, Jr, R M; Saubermann, A J ^[1]

---

1. SUNY, Stony Brook (USA)

Regulation of elements and water in nerve cells is a complex, multifaceted process which appears to be vulnerable to neurotoxic events. However, much of our knowledge concerning the potential role of elements in nerve cell injury is limited by the relatively gross level of corresponding analyses. If we are to confirm and understand the proposed role, more precise and detailed information is needed. As indicated in this commentary, research employing electron probe microanalysis and digital X-ray imaging has begun to provide this necessary information. Recent EPMA studies of nerve and glial cells in the peripheral and central nervous systems have shown that each cell type and their corresponding morphologic compartments exhibit unique distributions of elements and water. The use of microprobe analysis has allowed us to document precisely how elements and water redistribute in morphological compartments of damaged nerve cells. Accumulating evidence from EPMA studies suggests that, rather than being an epiphenomenon, intracellular changes in diffusible elements might mediate the functional and structural consequences of neurotoxic insult. It is also evident from this research that elements other than Ca might play a pertinent role in the injury response and that changes in intraneuronal elemental composition might develop according to a specific temporal pattern. Therefore, rather than conducting end-point studies, longitudinal investigations are necessary to define the sequential pattern of elemental perturbation associated with a given neurotoxic event. Such research can also help identify the role of individual elements in the injury response. Future microprobe studies should be combined with measurements of ion levels to provide a comprehensive and dynamic view of elemental deregulation. 145 references.

• OSTI ID: 6148196
• Journal Information: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology; (USA), Journal Name: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology; (USA) Vol. 106:3; ISSN TXAPA; ISSN 0041-008X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550602* -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Diagnostics-- (1980-)
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ANIMAL CELLS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
DIAGNOSIS
DISEASES
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELECTROLYTES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON MICROPROBE ANALYSIS
HOMEOSTASIS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MICROANALYSIS
NERVE CELLS
NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
RADIATIONS
REVIEWS
SOMATIC CELLS
WATER
X RADIATION