[Ultrastructure of the functional element links of the sensorimotor cortex in endotoxic shock]

Endotoxin shock in rabbits and dogs was induced by intravenous administration of endotoxin B. typhosus. Dystrophic changes and hemodynamic disturbances with dilatation and hyperemia of capillaries, increasing permeability of blood-brain barrier were observed in light microscopy of the brain sensomotor cortex. Ultrastructural alterations in neurons were characterized by swelling and destruction of mitochondria, hypertrophy of Golgi complex, increasing lysosome number. In cytoplasm of astrocytes the glycogen disappeared, the secondary lysosomes increased in number. There was a vacuolar dystrophy in olygodendrocytes. These changes were resulted from the shifts occurring in fine structure of capillaries. Hypoxia played an important role in disturbances of the brain integrative activity.