Skip to main content
Log in

Considerations on the development of experimental lead encephalopathy

  • Published:
Virchows Archiv A Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Experimental lead encephalopathy was produced in developing rats. The cerebellar changes that developed were studied by light and electron microscopy. Although edema was observed in all phases of the encephalopathy, changes in the blood vessels, formation of platelet thrombi, and alterations of the Purkinje cells and their dendrites warranted special attention. The lead and calcium content of the brain and of the blood in the lead poisoned and control groups were determined chemically. The results are discussed from a morphological point of view and a hypothesis of their pathogenesis is presented.

Zusammenfassung

Wir haben bei neugeborenen Ratten eine experimentelle Blei-Encephalopathie hervorgerufen und die cerebellaren Veränderungen licht- und elektronenmikroskopisch untersucht. In allen Stadien der Encephalopathie war ein Ödem vorhanden, darüber hinaus fanden sich Anzeichen für Capillarschäden, Bildung von Plättchenthromben und Veränderungen der Purkinje-Zellen mit ihren Dendriten. Blei- und Calciumgehalt des Gehirnes wie des Blutes von bleivergifteten Ratten und von Kontrolltieren wurden chemisch untersucht. Die Ergebnisse werden aus der Sicht des Morphologen besprochen, die Pathogenese der Veränderungen diskutiert.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aub, J. C., Fairhill, L. T., Minot, A. S., Reznikoff, P.: Lead poisoning. Medicine (Baltimore) 4, 1–250 (1925).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bakay, L., Lee, J. C.: Cerebral edema. Springfield, Illinois U.S.A.: C. C. Thomas Publishers 1965.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bauer, K. Fr., Vester, G.: Das elektronenmikroskopische Bild der Hirnkapillaren menschlicher Föten. Fortsch. Neurol. Psychiat. 38, 270–318 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Colmant, H. J.: Zerebrale hypoxie, p. 19–22. Stuttgart: Georg Thieme 1965.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hassin, G. B.: The contrast between brain lesions produced by lead and other inorganic poisons and those caused by epidemic encephalitis. Arch. Neurol. Psychiat. (Chic.) 6, 268–285 (1921).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hills, C. P.: Ultrastructural changes in the capillary bed of the rat cerebral cortex in anoxic-ischaemic brain lesions. Amer. J. Path. 44, 531–552 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Himwich, H. E., Fazekas, J. F.: Comparative studies of the metabolism of the brain of infant and adult dogs. Amer. J. Physiol. 132, 454–459 (1941).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirsch, H., Breuer, M., Künzel, H. P., Marx, E., Sachweh, D.: Über die Bildung von Thrombozytenaggregaten und die Änderung des Hämatokrits durch Komplete Gehirnischämie. Dtsch. Z. Nervenheil. 186, 58–66 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lampert, P., Garro, F., Pentschew, A.: Lead encephalopathy in suckling rats.—An electron microscopic study, p. 207–222. Brain edema, ed. Klatzo, I. and Seitelberger, F. Wien—New York: Springer-Verlag 1967.

    Google Scholar 

  • McLaurin, R. L., Nichols, J. B.: Extensive cranial decompression in the treatment of lead encephalopathy. Pediatrics 20, 653–667 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  • Okazaki, H., Aronson, S. M., Di Maio, D. J., Oliviera, J. E.: Acute Lead encephalopathy of childhood. Histologic and chemical studies with particular reference to angiopathic aspects. Trasn. Amer. neurol. Ass. 88, 248–250 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Pentschew, A., Garro, F.: Lead encephalomyelopathy of the suckling rat and its implications on the porphyrinopathic nervous diseases. Acta neuropath. (Berl.) 6, 266–278 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulz, H., Rabanus, B.: Die kapilläre Plättchenthrombose im elektronenmikroskopischen Bild. Ziegler's Beiträge 131, 290–311 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Torack, R. M.: Ultrastructure of the capillary reaction to brain tumours. Arch. Neurol. (Chic.) 5, 416–428 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Totovic, V.: Elektronenmikroskopische Befunde in der Niere bei chronischer Bleivergiftung der Ratte. Verh. Dtsch. Ges. Path. 48. Tagg. 193–197 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Tyler, D. B., Harreveld, A. Van: The respiration of the developing brain. Amer. J. Physiol. 136, 600–603 (1942).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ule, G., Kolkmann, F. W., Brambring, P.: Experimentelle elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen zur formalen Pathogenese der Wernickeschen Encephalopathie. Klin. Wschr. 17, 886–887 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Watrach, A. M.: Degeneration of mitochondria in lead poisoning. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 10, 177–181 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.

, St. John's Medical College, Bangalore 34, India.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Thomas, J.A., Dallenbach, F.D. & Thomas, M. Considerations on the development of experimental lead encephalopathy. Virchows Arch. Abt. A Path. Anat. 352, 61–74 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00549764

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00549764

Keywords

Navigation