Time- and dose-dependent influence of ouabain on the ultrastructure of optic neurones.

Abstract

The cardiac glycoside ouabain was injected into the eye-bulb of the teleost fish, Carassius carassius. Three doses of ouabain were used: 10(-4) M, 10(-5) M, 10(-6) M. The final concentrations in the vitreous body of the eye were approximately 3-10(-5) M, 3-10-6 M and 3-10-7 M, respectively. After 8 hrs, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 days the ultrastructural alterations of retinal ganglion cells, the optic axons near the bulb and the terminal segments in the optic tectum were studied. The high doses of ouabain induced an early necrobiosis of the cell bodies in the retina followed by degeneration in the nerve. This is characterized as a protracted form of Wallerian degeneration. The significance of the inhibition of Na+ -K+-activated ATPase at the perikaryal level for both the integrity of axonal morphology and the axonal flow is discussed.

• Authors: H Wolburg
• Journal: Cell and tissue research (Cell Tissue Res) Vol. 164 Issue 4 Pg. 503-17 (Dec 18 1975) ISSN: 0302-766X [Print] Germany
• PMID: 1203964 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Ouabain

Topics

• Animals
• Axons (ultrastructure)
• Cyprinidae
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Microtubules (ultrastructure)
• Nerve Fibers, Myelinated (ultrastructure)
• Optic Nerve (drug effects, ultrastructure)
• Organoids (ultrastructure)
• Ouabain (pharmacology)
• Retina (drug effects, ultrastructure)
• Superior Colliculi (drug effects, ultrastructure)
• Time Factors