Neuroglial cell ratio in piriform neurocyte layer of cerebellar cortex after lead intoxication and traumatic brain injury

The purpose of this trial was to examine the morphometric features of neurons and glia, their ratio in the piriform neurocyte layer of cerebellar cortex in mature male rats in the norm, after lead intoxication and after traumatic brain injury. Materials and Methods. The amount of normochromic, hyperchromic, hypochromic and irreversibly altered neurons was determined to describe the morphometric state in the piriform neurocyte layer of cerebellar cortex under lead intoxication and after traumatic brain injury. The authors isolated free neurons and satellite glial neurons in the neuronal population and counted the number of glial cells, total and satellite glia. Neuroglial ratio was determined as neuronal density ratio to total glia density and satellite glial density. Gliocyte was considered to be satellite, if it was located no further than the diameter of its nucleus from the cell body. The neuroglial index was defined as the ratio of the total number of glial cells to the number of neurons for each visual field. Results. Comparative analysis of neuron and glia cytological characteristics in the norm, after lead intoxication and after traumatic brain injury revealed morphofunctional changes in the piriform neurocyte layer. Control also revealed normochromic neurons. Hyperchromic neurons predominated after lead acetate intoxication but hypochromic cells and destructively altered shadow cells were determined after traumatic brain injury. There was an increase in the amount of total glia in combination with a decrease in glial distance. It indicated neuroglial protective-adaptive response and reflected the maintenance of neuron viability. There was also an increase in the amount of satellite glia, which indicated a high degree of neuron functional activity. The neuroglial reaction under lead acetate intoxication and after traumatic brain injury was of both quantitative and qualitative character. The number of gliocytes and the neuroglial ratio in the experimental groups tended to increase. Structural changes in glia demonstrated the nervous tissue plasticity under various experimental influences.