Reactivity patterns of nerve cell-glia-complexes in mice during pentylenetrazole-induced seizures. Cytometric-cytophotometric studies.

The relationships between nerve cell-glia-complexes (NGCs) and surrounding capillaries were studied by combined cytometric-cytophotometric methods in male mice up to 60 min after injection of 70 milligrams/kilograms of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). The nuclear area in neurons from cortical layers IV and V of the motoric area 8 increased by 13%, and in neurons from the hypoglossal nucleus there was an increase of 23%, associated with phasic changes in the nuclear area of their glial satellites. The number of perfused capillaries increased in both brain regions and there was a 20%-elongation of erythrocyte-filled capillary segments. The cytoplasmic RNA content enlarged in the hypoglossal neurons but decreased in cortical neurons from area 8. Peptidergic neurons and their glial satellites (supraoptic nucleus) showed nuclear shrinkage. Fifty percent of these peptidergic neurons reacted by reduction of their cytoplasmic RNA content. The measured cell reactions seem to be specific for different groups of NGCs which were defined by their histotopography, their neuronal interconnections, and a prevalence of secretory or nonsecretory neurons.