Quantitative Changes in Myelin Proteins in a Peripheral Neuropathy Caused by Tullidora (Karwinskia humboldtiana)

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Abstract
Peripheral nerve demyelination was induced in cats by oral administration of ether extracts of Tullidora (K. humboldtiana). Proteins from several hindlimb nerves, spinal roots and dorsal columns of the spinal cord were subjected to slab gel electrophoresis and quantified by densitometry. In Tullidora-treated cats with severe motor disturbances, specific myelin proteins were reduced by at least 50% in motor nerves and less than 25% in cutaneous axons. There was a greater decrease of these proteins in distal than in cephalad segments of sciatic nerve; no changes were detected in spinal roots or white matter of spinal cord. EM revealed intense demyelination in motor nerves only. Density of 100 .ANG. thick neurofilaments and relative proportion of a polypeptide with a MW of 68,000 were coniserably increased in affected nerves. Active principles of Tullidora entered axons through motor nerve terminals. Distal segments of motor nerves were preferentially affected and demyelination could result from axonal damage.