Biomaterial Database

Ultrastructural localization of calcium in peripheral nerve fibres undergoing Wallerian degeneration: an oxalate-pyroantimonate and X-ray microanalysis study. 1998

A M Martinez, and L C Ribeiro

Department of Histology and Embryology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Centre of Health Sciences, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. martinez@chagas.biof.ufrj.br

Calcium was demonstrated ultrastructurally as an electron dense precipitate with the oxalate-pyroantimonate technique in rat sural nerves undergoing early Wallerian degeneration after surgical crush (30 h after lesion). In normal nerves (controls) the distribution of calcium precipitates in the axoplasm appeared homogeneous in unmyelinated fibres and heterogeneous (with specific domains) in myelinated ones. Calcium precipitate was also found within the smooth reticulum and mitochondria of the fibers and Schwann cells, and in endoneurial space. In nerve fibres with early degenerative alterations, there was increased calcium precipitate within membranous profiles of smooth reticulum and mitochondria (in both nerve fibres and Schwann cells) and in areas where the cytoskeletal proteins were disintegrated. This last finding confirms the participation of calcium in the disruption of axonal microtubules and neurofilaments in early Wallerian degeneration process. Fibers with intense degenerative changes lost the usual distribution for calcium. The specificity of the reaction was demonstrated using EGTA chelation and X-ray microanalysis.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D009409	Nerve Crush	Treatment of muscles and nerves under pressure as a result of crush injuries.	Crush, Nerve
D009412	Nerve Fibers	Slender processes of NEURONS, including the AXONS and their glial envelopes (MYELIN SHEATH). Nerve fibers conduct nerve impulses to and from the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Cerebellar Mossy Fibers,Mossy Fibers, Cerebellar,Cerebellar Mossy Fiber,Mossy Fiber, Cerebellar,Nerve Fiber
D009413	Nerve Fibers, Myelinated	A class of nerve fibers as defined by their structure, specifically the nerve sheath arrangement. The AXONS of the myelinated nerve fibers are completely encased in a MYELIN SHEATH. They are fibers of relatively large and varied diameters. Their NEURAL CONDUCTION rates are faster than those of the unmyelinated nerve fibers (NERVE FIBERS, UNMYELINATED). Myelinated nerve fibers are present in somatic and autonomic nerves.	A Fibers,B Fibers,Fiber, Myelinated Nerve,Fibers, Myelinated Nerve,Myelinated Nerve Fiber,Myelinated Nerve Fibers,Nerve Fiber, Myelinated
D010070	Oxalates	Derivatives of OXALIC ACID. Included under this heading are a broad variety of acid forms, salts, esters, and amides that are derived from the ethanedioic acid structure.	Oxalate,Ethanedioic Acids,Oxalic Acids,Acids, Ethanedioic,Acids, Oxalic
D012016	Reference Values	The range or frequency distribution of a measurement in a population (of organisms, organs or things) that has not been selected for the presence of disease or abnormality.	Normal Range,Normal Values,Reference Ranges,Normal Ranges,Normal Value,Range, Normal,Range, Reference,Ranges, Normal,Ranges, Reference,Reference Range,Reference Value,Value, Normal,Value, Reference,Values, Normal,Values, Reference
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D004577	Electron Probe Microanalysis	Identification and measurement of ELEMENTS and their location based on the fact that X-RAYS emitted by an element excited by an electron beam have a wavelength characteristic of that element and an intensity related to its concentration. It is performed with an electron microscope fitted with an x-ray spectrometer, in scanning or transmission mode.	Microscopy, Electron, X-Ray Microanalysis,Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission, Electron Microscopic,Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission, Electron Probe,X-Ray Emission Spectrometry, Electron Microscopic,X-Ray Emission Spectrometry, Electron Probe,X-Ray Microanalysis, Electron Microscopic,X-Ray Microanalysis, Electron Probe,Microanalysis, Electron Probe,Spectrometry, X Ray Emission, Electron Microscopic,Spectrometry, X Ray Emission, Electron Probe,X Ray Emission Spectrometry, Electron Microscopic,X Ray Emission Spectrometry, Electron Probe,X-Ray Microanalysis,Electron Probe Microanalyses,Microanalyses, Electron Probe,Microanalysis, X-Ray,Probe Microanalyses, Electron,Probe Microanalysis, Electron,X Ray Microanalysis,X Ray Microanalysis, Electron Microscopic,X Ray Microanalysis, Electron Probe
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
D000965	Antimony	A metallic element that has the atomic symbol Sb, atomic number 51, and atomic weight 121.75. It is used as a metal alloy and as medicinal and poisonous salts. It is toxic and an irritant to the skin and the mucous membranes.