Regression of granular pericytes in cerebral fine vessels of rats after administration of vitamin E deficient diet.

Prolonged administration of a vitamin E deficient diet to Wistar rats resulted in regressive changes in granular pericytes distributed around fine vessels of the cerebral cortex. The regressive signs included expansion of endoplasmic reticula, sweling of mitochondria and increase of vesicular structures. Rupture of the limiting membranes of the intracellular granules often accompanied these changes. The finding seems important for an understanding of the physiology and nutriology of granular pericytes in the brain.