Electron microscopic study of experimental thallotoxicosis.

SUMMARY To adult male rats 2 mg per rat of thallium acetate: CH3 COOTl was given orally daily for six months. Clinically, the experimental rats revealed only alopecia and showed no neurological signs. Pathological findings were noted in muscle and cerebrum. Marked changes were observed in muscles and were as follows: swelling and vacuolation of mitochondria, destruction of cristae, ruptures of mitochon-drial membranes, degeneration of sarcoplas-mic reticulum and destruction of myofila-ments. In the cerebrum, there were vacuolation of mitochondria, dilatation of Golgi cisterns in hypothalamus and thalamus. Sciatic nerve, liver and kidney were intact. From this, we consider that T1+ ions selectively affect the muscle and its mitochondria.