Neuropathological changes of rabbit spinal motor neurons induced by retrograde axonal aluminum-uptake

To examine pathological changes of spinal motor neurons induced by subepineurial injection of 10-500 μ1 of 2% AlCl3 solution into a sciatic nerve of rabbits, histometric studies of chromatolytic neurons, spheroids/globules and degenerative neurons in the both lumbar anterior gray horn tissues was undertaken using routine and immunochemical staining methods. All these neuronal changes were reactive to the antineurofilament antibody (SM1). Except chromatolytic neurons, the appearance of spheroids/globules and degenerative neurons were significantly dose-responsive to the volume of injected 2% AlCl3 solution. In this acute experiments, it is suggested that Al may primarily cause a disturbance of neurofilament transport in proximal axons, consequently leading to neurofibrillary degeneration of neurons. (author)