The role of ultrastructural investigations in neurotoxicology.
The ways in which ultrastructural approaches have been applied to the investigation of xenobiotic-induced toxicity of the nervous system have been briefly reviewed. These approaches have been grouped in 3 broad areas, viz. morphology, function and composition. Firstly, morphological approaches permit the visualisation of changes in intercellular relationships, the identification of the subcellular target(s) of a xenobiotic substance and the discrimination between what may appear ostensibly to be identical cellular responses to one or more chemically distinct toxins. Secondly, functional approaches using, e.g. cytochemistry, ion precipitation, immunocytochemistry and autoradiography provide indications of metabolic state, the identity or the intra- or extracellular location of the "reactive species". Thirdly, those approaches, viz. electronprobe X-ray microanalysis and electron energy loss spectroscopy which provide information of the elemental composition of cells and tissues permit an assessment of the subcellular distribution and compartmentalisation of endogenous substances and toxic or therapeutic xenobiotics. In concert, ultrastructural approaches possess the ability to contribute unique information on the effects of exposure of cells of the nervous system to toxic substances and so direct further investigation towards an understanding of the mechanism of action.
Jones
H B
HB
Smith Kline & French Research Ltd., Welwyn, Hertfordshire, U.K.
D000818:Animals; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D006651:Histocytochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology