Structural patterns of injured mitochondria in human oedematous cerebral cortex.
OBJECTIVE
Cerebral cortical biopsies of 37 patients with clinical diagnosis of congenital malformations, brain trauma and tumours were studied to establish mitochondrial morphological alterations.


METHODS
Cortical biopsies obtained in the surgical room were immediately processed by conventional technique for transmission electron microscopy.


RESULTS
Three injured mitochondrial morphological patterns were found: swollen clear, (SCM), swollen dense (SDM) and dark degenerated (DDM) mitochondria. SCM were predominantly found in traumatic brain oedema. SDM and DDM were frequently observed in sustained permanent ischaemia induced by brain tumours, vascular anomaly and congenital hydrocephalus. SCM exhibited low electron dense mitochondrial matrix, enlarged intracristal space and continuity of outer and inner mitochondrial membranes. SDM showed high electron dense matrix and swollen intact or fragmented cristae. DDM displayed overall high electron density of matrix and mitochondrial membranes.


CONCLUSIONS
The injured mitochondrial patterns are related with nerve cell death and considered markers of lethal nerve cell injury.
Castejón
Orlando J
OJ
Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela. ocastejo@cantv.net
de Castejón
Haydée Viloria
HV
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001139:Arnold-Chiari Malformation / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure