Electronmicroscopic investigation of rat substantia nigra after chronic amphetamine treatment. II. Changes in the glial cells and blood vessels.

The changes in the glial cells and blood vessels of substantia nigra of albino rats were examined at ultrastrucural level after chronic treatment with amphetamine. The animals were injected daily with 5 mg/kg dl-amphetamine i.p. for 90 days. Astroglial and oligodendroglial cells are richer in cytoplasmic organelles. Much more frequently strocytes appear to be satellites of the nerve cells. Dense lamellar myelin-like bodies may be seen in the cytoplasm of oligodendrocytes. Endothelial cells and pericytes have more pinocytous vesicles, osmiophilic granules and mitochondria. Large dense bodies with homogeneous structure fill the cytoplasm of part of the pericytes. The present article discusses the changes observed.