Ultrastructure of apoptotic oligodendrocytes in the spinal cord of adult rat with long-standing axotomised sciatic nerve
Delshad, A.; Al-Tiraihi, T.
Folia Neuropathologica 39(3): 125-128
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 1641-4640 PMID: 11770122 Document Number: 538855
The apoptosis in the oligodendrocytes was evaluated in adult rat which were axotomised and sacrificed three months aftersurgery. The apoptotic cell had electron dense organelles with condensed cytoplasm, the nucleus showed chromatin condensation with formation of band-like structure of clumped chromatin, and subsequently the cell underwent progressive shrinkage. The advanced stage of apoptosis showed electron lucency in the chromatin band, followed by disintegration of the nucleus, while the cytoplasm was replaced with high electron dense granular substance forming round electron dense apoptotic cells. The autophagy was also noticed in the cytoplasm of these cells, consisting of membrane bounded cytoplasmic organelles. Because the autophagy was seen in the apoptotic cell, this indicates that the autophagy is not limited to autophagic type programmed cell death.