Mechanism of glycogenosome formation in axons of cadmium-induced neuropathy--ultrastructural and biochemical studies.

Numerous glycogenosomes were found in the axoplasm of the sciatic nerves in neuropathy induced by the long-term administration of cadmium to rats. The glycogen particles in the glycogenosomes were larger than those deposited in the intracytoplasmic matrix. Two forms of alpha-glucosidases, acid and neutral, were found in the sciatic nerve of normal rat. Cadmium ions inhibited the activity of the neutral alpha-glucosidase by a maximum of 24.0%, while acid alpha-glucosidase was not inhibited. Hg ions completely inhibited both forms of alpha-glucosidases; however, it has been reported that no glycogenosomes appear in Hg++-induced neuropathy. It was considered that the inhibitory effect of cadmium on the neutral alpha-glucosidase led to the enlargement of glycogen particles, and the large glycogen molecules were then engulfed in the lysosome system.