VINCRISTINE-INDUCED ALTERATIONS IN SCHWANN-CELLS OF MOUSE PERIPHERAL-NERVE

The sciatic nerve of C57BI mice was examined with a transmission elect ron microscope to study the ultrastructural alterations in Schwann cel ls following treatment with escalating doses of vincristine, Results i ndicated that the drug exerts a dose-related effect, Total doses up to 8 mu g/mouse did not cause any visible damage to Schwann cells, Highe r doses induced not only damage to individual cells, but also affected a greater percentage of them, The myelin sheath was the most affected organelle, Schwann cells of myelinated fibers showed greater damage t han those of unmyelinated fibers. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.