PURKINJE CELLS OF THE CEREBELLUM IN CLOZAPINE AND CLOZAPINE ETHANOL POISONING (EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH)
Objectives. Systematization of cerebellar Purkinje cell injuries to clarify the pathogenesis of combined clozapine-alcohol poisoning and to substantiate the immediate cause of death. Material and methods. Experimental studies were performed on 25 white outbreed rats divided into 5 groups: control, group I (clozapine 3 hours), group II (clozapine 24 hours), group III (clozapine + alcohol 3 hours), group IV (clozapine+alcohol 24 hours). The assessment of Purkinje cell injury was performed using the classification of neuronal damage. Results. In the control group of animals reversible changes in Purkinje cells prevailed: primary irritation and acute swelling (15-20%). Irreversible changes were detected in 2-5%. In case of clozapine poisoning the number of Purkinje cells with irreversible changes (shrinking, karyocytolysis, severe changes, Ghost-like cells) was increased. The percentage of Purkinje cells with such changes was 30-40%. In case of combined clozapine-alcohol poisoning the percentage of irreversible Purkinje cells injury increased to 40-60% (especially 24 hours after starting the study). Quantitative differences in irreversible changes in Purkinje cells in the experimental groups were statistically significant if compared to the controls (p<0.05). Conclusion. As a result of the study the most commonly detected injuries of Purkinje cells of cerebellum in clozapine poisoning were revealed. The most prominent damage to Purkinje cells with predominance of irreversible changes were found in cases of combined clozapine-alcohol poisoning. 24-hour duration of the experiment led to the more severe Purkinje cell injuries if compared to the 3-hour duration.