NUMBER OF PURKINJE CELLS AND BERGMANN ASTROCYTES IN RATS WITH CCl₄-INDUCED LIVER DISEASE

Abstract

The nuclei of Purkinje cells and Bergmann astrocytes were counted on sagittal sections from cerebellum and the length of stratum gangliosum was measured in rats with CCl4-induced liver disease, using an electronic image analyzer. After 8 weeks of CCl4-administration a reduction was found in the number of Purkinje cells, many of which showed homogenizating changes. Ten weeks after termination of the administration period the number of Purkinje cells was reduced by 12 percent. The number of Bergmann astrocytes remained significantly increased after 8 weeks of CCl4-administration (max. 20 per cent). The changes of Purkinje cell and Bergmann astrocyte density developed during the period of severe liver necrosis, whereas only minor changes were found in the ensuing period of liver "cirrhosis". In the perfusion fixed specimens, the Bergmann astrocyte nuclei increased in volume up to 65 per cent and immersion fixed brains showed typical Alzheimer type II nuclear changes. The impact of the increased plasma ammonia concentration on the astrocytes is discussed.

Glial Changes in Pigs With Porto‐caval Anastomosis and Temporary or Total Hepatic Artery Clamping

“…induced hepatic encephalopathy (Diemer 1977 a, b) and rats with portcwaval anastomosis revealed in both instances an approx. 25 per cent increase in the number of astrocytes, but also a corresponding decrease in the number of oligodendrocyte nuclei, leaving the total glial number constant.…”