[Structural changes induced by diethyl ether in cultured neuroblastoma cells]

It has been found that neuroblastoma cells retract their neurites under the influence of ether in dose 1 ml in 15 ml of the cultural medium. Application of ether for two hours increases the ratio of the number of cells to the number of neurites from 9.94 +/- 2.12 in the initial state to 19.66 +/- 1.93 (P less than 0.002). An essential alteration of the cell shape and a decrease of their volume are observed as well. The reaction is typical of cells at different stages of morphological differentiation. The data obtained can be helpful for investigation of pharmacological preparations which prevent destruction of neurons under narcosis.