Glycogen-rich and glycogen-depleted astrocytes in the oedematous human cerebral cortex associated with brain trauma, tumours and congenital malformations: an electron microscopy study

• Published in: Brain injury Vol. 16; no. 2; pp. 109 - 132
• Main Authors: Castejon, Orlando J., Diaz, Melecio, Castejon, Haydee V, Castellano, Alan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Informa UK Ltd 01-02-2002; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Astrocytes - metabolism; Astrocytes - ultrastructure; Biological and medical sciences; Biopsy; Brain - abnormalities; Brain - pathology; Brain Edema - etiology; Brain Edema - metabolism; Brain Edema - pathology; Brain Injuries - complications; Brain Neoplasms - complications; Cerebral Cortex - metabolism; Child; Female; Glycogen - deficiency; Glycogen - metabolism; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Medical sciences; Microscopy, Electron; Middle Aged; Neurology; Tropical medicine; Vascular diseases and vascular malformations of the nervous system; Human; Nervous system diseases; Anoxia; Pathophysiology; Glycogen; Craniocerebral; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Cardiovascular disease; Exploration; Astrocyte; Electron microscopy; Metabolism; Congenital disease; Trauma; Cerebral disorder; Vascular disease; Pathology; Ischemia; Malformation; Central nervous system disease; Skull disease; Tumor; Cerebral edema; Cerebrovascular disease
• DOI: 10.1080/02699050110088218
• EISSN: 1362-301X
• ISSN: 0269-9052

Primary objective: The anaerobic mobilization of astrocyte glycogen in anoxic-ischemic regions of the oedematous human cerebral cortex is analysed. Methods and procedures: Seventeen cortical biopsies of patients with brain trauma, brain tumours and congenital malformations were examined by conventional transmission electron microscopy. Results: Glycogen-rich and glycogen-depleted, clear or dense astrocytes cell bodies were observed in anoxic ischaemic regions of different brain cortical areas in perineuronal, neuropilar and perivascular localization. Glycogen-rich astrocytes showed clear or moderately dense cytoplasm and accumulation of both &#103 -type or monogranular glycogen granules and &#102 -type or multigranular glycogen particles. Focal regions of translucent cytoplasm were observed in areas of glycogen degradation. Glycogendepleted astrocytes exhibited a clear cytoplasm and scarce amount or absence of &#103 -type glycogen granules. Coexisting glycogen-rich and glycogen-depleted neuropilar astrocytic processes were observed in the vicinity of degenerated myelinated axons and degenerated axodendritic contacts. Glycogen-rich and glycogen-depleted perivascular astrocytic processes were also found surrounding injured and collapsed cerebral capillaries. Conclusion: The findings suggest astrocytic glycogen mobilization during anoxic and ischaemic conditions, revealing the important contribution of astrocytes on neuronal survival under conditions of energy substrate limitations.