[Morphological changes in the nervous system in lead poisoning. II. Experimental lead-induced encephalopathy]

The morphological investigation in an experimental model of lead (Pb) encephalopathy (according to the method of A. Pentschew, 1966) is presented. Electron microscopy-dense inclusions are found out in the nuclei and cytoplasm of astrocytes and in some ependyma cells in the investigated cortical and subcortical (paraventricular) structure of the brain and spinal cord. This confirms the direct toxic action of Pb on these structures and proves their participation in pathogeneses of the developing encephalopathy. The established inclusions in the ependyma and the data about a disturbance of the blood-brain barrier give a reason to be proposed the possibility for a penetration of Pb in the nervous system not only through a blood but also through a cerebrospinal fluid way.