Summary
The degenerative reaction of mitochondria to tricresylphosphate (TCP) poisoning in spinal ganglion cells of Slow Loris (Nycticebus coucang coucang) were studied with the electron microscope. In neurones of animals treated with TCP, mitochondria display various stages of alterations which confirm mitochondrial involvement in TCP poisoning. The role of degenerated mitochondria in the formation of neuronal lipofuscin is discussed. It is suggested that the lipofuscin granule is a metabolic product inherently related to mitochondrial degeneration, irrespective of the primary cause: ageing or intoxication.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ahmed, M.M.: A note on the neuroglia in normal and tricresylphosphate (TCP) poisoned hen. Acta anat. (Basel) 77, 120–130 (1970)
Ahmed, M.M.: Synaptic morphology in the spinal cord of normal and tricresylphosphate (TCP) poisoned hen. Acta neuropath. (Berl.) 17, 302–309 (1971)
Ahmed, M.M.: The ultrastructure of tricresylphosphate poisoning in primates. I. Studies on axonal alterations in the spinal cord. Arch. hist. japon. 35, 283–288 (1973)
Ahmed, M.M.: Fine structure of neurons in the spinal ganglion of Slow Loris (Nycticebus coucang coucang). Arch. hist. japon. 36, 143–152 (1973)
Ahmed, M.M., Glees, P.: Ultrastructural changes in central nerve fiber of the hen. Exp. Neurol. 22, 695–701 (1968)
Ahmed, M.M., Kanagasuntherum, R.: Mitochondrial variations in the spinal ganglion cells of the Slow Loris: and electron microscopic study. J. Anat. (Lond.) 121, 223–230 (1970)
Andres, K.H.: Untersuchungen über den Feinbau von Spinalganglien. Z. Zellforsch. 55, 1–48 (1961)
Bischoff, A.: Ultrastructure of tri-ortho-cresylphosphate poisoning in the chicken. II. Studies on spinal cord alteration. Acta neuropath. (Berl.) 15, 142–155 (1970)
Cavanagh, J.B.: The toxic effects of tri-o-cresyl phosphate on the nervous system. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiat. 17, 163–172 (1954)
Colcolough, M.H., Hack, M.H., Helmy, F.M., Vaugh, G.E., Veith, D.C.: Some histochemical biochemical and morphological observations relating to lipofuscin and mitochondria. Acta histochem. (Jena) 43, 98–109 (1972)
Glees, P.: Central nerve fiber degeneration caused by tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate and its arrest by the action of cortisone acetate. Germ. med. Mth. 6, 245–247 (1961)
Glees, P.: Maturation and aging of vertebrate neurons. In: Metabolic compartmentation and neurotransmission (S. Berl. D.D. Clarke and D. Schneider, eds.). New York: Plenum 1975
Glees, P., Hasan, M.: Lipofuscin in neuronal aging and diseases. Stuttgart: Georg Thieme 1976
Glees, P., Hasan, M., Spoerri, P.E.: Mitochondrial genesis of lipofuscin-evidence based on electron microscopic studies of the brain, neural tissue culture and heart. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 239, 87 P (1974)
Glees, P., Janzik, H.H.: Chemically (TCP) induced fiber degeneration in the central nervous system, with reference to clinical and neuropharmacological aspects. Progr. Brain Res. 14, 97–121 (1965)
Gopinath, G., Glees, P.: Mitochondrial genesis of lipofuscin in the mesencephalic nucleus of the Vth nerve of aged rats. Acta anat. (Basel) 89, 14–20 (1974)
Hasan, M., Glees, P.: Genesis and possible dissolution of neuronal lipofuscin. Gerontologia 18, 217–236 (1972)
Hern, J.E.C.: Some effects of experimental organophosphorus intoxication in primates. Thesis for the degree of Doctor of Medicine. University of Oxford (1971)
Le Vay, S., Meier, C., Glees, P.: Effects of tri-ortho-cresyl-phosphate on spinal ganglia and peripheral nerves of chicken. Acta neuropath. (Berl.) 17, 103–113 (1971)
Miyagishi, T., Takahata, M., Lizuka, R.: Electron microscopic studies on the lipo-pigments in the cerebral cortex nerve cells of senile and vitamin E deficient rats. Acta neuropath. (Berl.) 9, 7–17 (1917)
Novikoff, A.B.: Lysosomes and related particles. In: The cell, Vol. II (J. Brachet and Alfred E. Mirsky, eds.), pp. 423–481 (1961)
Pannese, E.: Observation on the morphology, submicroscopic structure and biological properties of satellite cells (s.c.) in sensory ganglia of mammals. Z. Zellforsch. 52, 567–597 (1960)
Prineas, J.: The pathogenesis of dying back polyneuropathies. Part I. An ultrastructural study of experimental tri ortho cresylphosphate intoxication in the cat. J. Neuropathol. Exp. Neurol. 26, 571–597 (1969a)
Sabatini, D.D., Bensch, K., Barrnett, R.S.: Cytochemistry and electron microscopy. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 17, 19–38 (1963)
Smith, M.I., Lillie, R.D.: The histopathology of tri ortho cresylphosphate poisoning. Arch. Neurol. Psychiat. (Chic.) 26, 976–992 (1931)
Spoerri, P.E., Glees, P.: Neuronal aging in cultures, an electron microscopic study. Exp. Geront. 8, 259–263 (1973)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Fellow of the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst on study leave from the Medical Faculty, University of Singapore
A grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Gl. 28/20) is gratefully acknowledged
The skilfull technical assistance of Mr. Tajuddin b.M. Ali, Mr. P. Gopal, Mr. R. Dungan and Mrs. C. Weinrichter is gratefully acknowledged
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ahmed, M.M., Glees, P. Mitochondrial degeneration after organic phosphate poisoning in prosimian primates. Cell Tissue Res. 175, 459–465 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00222412
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00222412