Pathology of Lysosomes and Lipofucsin Granules on Human Brain Cortex. A Review

Orlando Castejón, J.

Faculty of Medicine, Zulia University, Venezuela

Dr. Orlando Castejón, J., Faculty of Medicine, Zulia University, Venezuela.

Keywords: Lysosomes; Lipofucsin Granules; Brain Degeneration; Brain Edema

Abstract

In the present review we describe the lysosomal and lipofuscin granule alterations in congenital hydrocephalus, severe and complicated human brain trauma, vascular malformation and brain tumors. In congenital hydrocephalus areas of cytoplasmic focal necrosis are observed surrounding the lysosomes, suggesting the release of lysosomal enzymes. Lipofuscin granules are also observed in neonate and infant patients with congenital hydrocephalus, suggesting that lipofuscin formation is a life span process. In brain trauma the edematous non pyramidal cells show lysosomes fragmentation of their limiting membranes and matrix coarse dense granulations. Lysosomes coexisting with an increased amount of lipofuscin granules are observed in young and adult patients with brain trauma, and vascular anomalies. Phagocytic astrocytes and activated oligodendroglial cells show the over-all spectrum of an altered endosomal/lysomal system. Lipofuscin granules and multivesicular bodies also are distinguished in nerve cells, endothelial and pericyte cells. The role of released and activated lysosomal enzymes is discussed in relation with peroxidative damage, the cytoplasmic focal necrosis of nerve cells, the genesis of moderate and severe edema and neurodegeneration.

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