Ethanol exposure induces cerebellar neuronal loss in rats

ABSTRACT

Ethanol exposure causes cerebellar dysfunction and cerebellar ataxia. Cerebellar Purkinje cells damage has not been explained as a constant finding in studies addressing the alcoholic brain or in experimental studies. The present study aimed to find out the changes of cerebellar Purkinje cells in adult rats. Adult rats were divided into control (C) and ethanol treated (E) groups eight animal each. The rats in group E were exposed to ethanol 1g/kg bodyweight for three months. Moderate ethanol intake produces significant reduction in the count of Purkinje cells in the anterior lobe of cerebellum with irregular shrunken outline losing their characteristic pyriform shape. Eosinophilic swelling seen adjacent to Purkinje cell bodies. Purkinje cells were observed without a prominent nucleolus or well defined nuclear membrane. Pyknosis of Purkinje cells was also observed

RESUMEN

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