Biomaterial Database

Ultrastructural and biochemical studies on ouabain-induced oedematous brain. 1977

R Tanaka, and K Tanimura, and K Ueki

Ouabain, a specific inhibitor of active cation transport across cell membrane, was applied topically to brain surface of cats. The cerebral cortex to which 10(3) M ouabain was applied showed a spongy state, which was ultrastructurally revealed to be swelling of the neuronal cell processes, especially of dendrites. Astrocytes did not show swelling even in the most severely affected lesions. There was a marked increase in sodium with a slight increase of water in the cortex treated with 10(3) M ouabain. No evidence of increased vascular permeability was noted in the cortex, morphologically or biochemically. Electron microscopic cytochemistry to detect the sodium ion revealed that the increased sodium in the cortex accumulated in the swollen neuronal cell processes. It is speculated that neuronal rather than astocytic elements might be highly dependent upon active cation transport, and that intracellular oedema in the brain tissue responsible for impairment of active cation transport might be related primarily to neuronal elements.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008854	Microscopy, Electron	Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen.	Electron Microscopy
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D010042	Ouabain	A cardioactive glycoside consisting of rhamnose and ouabagenin, obtained from the seeds of Strophanthus gratus and other plants of the Apocynaceae; used like DIGITALIS. It is commonly used in cell biological studies as an inhibitor of the NA(+)-K(+)-EXCHANGING ATPASE.	Acocantherin,G-Strophanthin,Acolongifloroside K,G Strophanthin
D001929	Brain Edema	Increased intracellular or extracellular fluid in brain tissue. Cytotoxic brain edema (swelling due to increased intracellular fluid) is indicative of a disturbance in cell metabolism, and is commonly associated with hypoxic or ischemic injuries (see HYPOXIA, BRAIN). An increase in extracellular fluid may be caused by increased brain capillary permeability (vasogenic edema), an osmotic gradient, local blockages in interstitial fluid pathways, or by obstruction of CSF flow (e.g., obstructive HYDROCEPHALUS). (From Childs Nerv Syst 1992 Sep; 8(6):301-6)	Brain Swelling,Cerebral Edema,Cytotoxic Brain Edema,Intracranial Edema,Vasogenic Cerebral Edema,Cerebral Edema, Cytotoxic,Cerebral Edema, Vasogenic,Cytotoxic Cerebral Edema,Vasogenic Brain Edema,Brain Edema, Cytotoxic,Brain Edema, Vasogenic,Brain Swellings,Cerebral Edemas, Vasogenic,Edema, Brain,Edema, Cerebral,Edema, Cytotoxic Brain,Edema, Cytotoxic Cerebral,Edema, Intracranial,Edema, Vasogenic Brain,Edema, Vasogenic Cerebral,Swelling, Brain
D002199	Capillary Permeability	The property of blood capillary ENDOTHELIUM that allows for the selective exchange of substances between the blood and surrounding tissues and through membranous barriers such as the BLOOD-AIR BARRIER; BLOOD-AQUEOUS BARRIER; BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER; BLOOD-NERVE BARRIER; BLOOD-RETINAL BARRIER; and BLOOD-TESTIS BARRIER. Small lipid-soluble molecules such as carbon dioxide and oxygen move freely by diffusion. Water and water-soluble molecules cannot pass through the endothelial walls and are dependent on microscopic pores. These pores show narrow areas (TIGHT JUNCTIONS) which may limit large molecule movement.	Microvascular Permeability,Permeability, Capillary,Permeability, Microvascular,Vascular Permeability,Capillary Permeabilities,Microvascular Permeabilities,Permeabilities, Capillary,Permeabilities, Microvascular,Permeabilities, Vascular,Permeability, Vascular,Vascular Permeabilities
D002415	Cats	The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801)	Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
D002540	Cerebral Cortex	The thin layer of GRAY MATTER on the surface of the CEREBRAL HEMISPHERES that develops from the TELENCEPHALON and folds into gyri and sulci. It reaches its highest development in humans and is responsible for intellectual faculties and higher mental functions.	Allocortex,Archipallium,Cortex Cerebri,Cortical Plate,Paleocortex,Periallocortex,Allocortices,Archipalliums,Cerebral Cortices,Cortex Cerebrus,Cortex, Cerebral,Cortical Plates,Paleocortices,Periallocortices,Plate, Cortical
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001253	Astrocytes	A class of large neuroglial (macroglial) cells in the central nervous system - the largest and most numerous neuroglial cells in the brain and spinal cord. Astrocytes (from "star" cells) are irregularly shaped with many long processes, including those with "end feet" which form the glial (limiting) membrane and directly and indirectly contribute to the BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER. They regulate the extracellular ionic and chemical environment, and "reactive astrocytes" (along with MICROGLIA) respond to injury.	Astroglia,Astroglia Cells,Astroglial Cells,Astrocyte,Astroglia Cell,Astroglial Cell,Astroglias,Cell, Astroglia,Cell, Astroglial
D012964	Sodium	A member of the alkali group of metals. It has the atomic symbol Na, atomic number 11, and atomic weight 23.	Sodium Ion Level,Sodium-23,Ion Level, Sodium,Level, Sodium Ion,Sodium 23