[Ultrastructural reaction of the multipotential glia in the cerebellum of the rat after treatment with 6-aminonicotinamide].

6-Aminonicotinamide (6-AN), an antimetabolite of nicotinamide, damages the astrocytes and oligodendrocytes through a blockade of the pentose phosphate pathway. Both types of glia cells become hydropic. A third type of glia cell, described by VAUGHN and PETERS, the multipotential glia, is affected to a lesser extent. These cells phagocytize and form pseudopodia after treatment with 6-AN. Thus the multipotential glia cells are 'marked' by the action of 6-AN, since they are obviously less dependent on the pentose phosphate pathway in the carbohydrate metabolism.