Summary
Distinctive cytoplasmic alterations of Schwann cells were observed by electron microscopy in rats and mice with peripheral neuropathy induced by chronic exposure to 2,5-hexanedione. Pronounced enlargement of Schwann cells was due to accumulation of 100 Å cytoplasmic filaments and endoplasmic reticulum and was most often observed after 12–15 weeks exposure to 2,5-hexanedione. Examination of teased nerve fibres revealed segmental demyelination and remyelination involving axons of normal diameter as well as giant axons. The filament disorder induced by 2,5-hexanedione administration is not limited solely to axoplasmic contents. Possible mechanisms of demyelination are discussed and the changes are compared to those observed in human neuropathy for which 2,5-hexanedione appears to be the closest experimental model.
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Powell, H.C., Koch, T., Garrett, R. et al. Schwanm cell abnormalities in 2, 5-hexanedione neuropathy. J Neurocytol 7, 517–528 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01173995
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01173995