Cell Death in the Brain of the HTx Rat

J. A. Miyan; M. I. Khan; Y. Kawarada; T. Sugiyama; C. M. Bannister

doi:10.1055/s-2008-1071253

European Journal of Pediatric Surgery, Table of Contents

Eur J Pediatr Surg 1998; 8: 43-48
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1071253

Original article

Cell Death in the Brain of the HTx Rat

J. A. Miyan¹ , M. I. Khan¹ , Y. Kawarada² , T. Sugiyama² , C. M. Bannister³

¹Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 88, Sackville Street, Manchester M60 1QD, UK
²Department of Biochemistry, Akita University School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Hondo, Akita 010-8543, Japan
³Department of Neurosurgery, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK

Abstract

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Abstract

The structural changes in the hydrocephalic brain suggest that cell death must be a significant factor in the loss of cortical mantle thickness and cell numbers. In the developing hydrocephalic brain a similar conclusion might also be reached. We present data suggesting that in the developing hydrocephalic HTx rat brain, there are at least two processes that underlie the structural deficit in the cortex. The first is abnormal development of the cortex probably resulting from a combination of the genetic defect and blockage of CSF circulation in the fetus. The second is a direct consequence of raised intracranial pressure and is manifested in a lack of development of glial cells in the neonatal brain and in the loss of myelination and neurones as pressure rises after birth, particularly after skull plate fusion. We find little evidence of increased cell death by apoptosis, recording instead a decrease in apoptotic index. There is evidence that necrosis must have occurred.

Key words

HTx rat - Hydrocephalus - Apoptosis - Cell death

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