Experimental amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the guinea-pig.
In guinea-pigs a diet which was deficient in ascorbic acid provoked neurogenic atrophy of the muscles, degeneration of the anterior horn motor cells and demyelination of the pyramidal tract. Muscles showed a decrease of cytochrome and cytochrome c oxidase. Subcutaneous haemorrhages were also found, particularly around the knee joints. The haemorrhages and the histopathology of the muscles and spinal cord were prevented by a high dosage of ascorbic acid. In animals with an ascorbic acid deficiency, histopathology of muscles and spinal cord were also prevented by L-cysteine, L-methionine and L-hydroxyproline. Subcutaneous haemorrhages were not prevented by these supplements.
D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D000870:Anterior Horn Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D001206:Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008297:Male; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000473:pathology*; D009132:Muscles / Q000473:pathology*; D011712:Pyramidal Tracts / Q000473:pathology*