Substance P, VIP, enkephalin and somatostatin immunoreactive neurons in intestinal tissue transplanted to the anterior eye chamber

Tissue pieces of small and large intestine from pre- and postnatal and adult rats, respectively, were transplanted to the anterior eye chamber of the rat. Immunohistochemical studies revealed high numbers of substance P-, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)- and enkephalin-containing nerve fibers, especially in the circular smooth muscle layer and in the myenteric plexus of the intestinal tissue transplants. A small number of somatostatin-containing fibers were observed. The distribution patterns of the various peptide-containing neurons in the grafts resembled those which have been described in the intact gastro-intestinal wall. Substance P, VIP, enkephalin and somato-statin immunoreactive fibers were seen also in the host irides. No obvious differences in peptide innervation in grafts and host irides were observed between normal and sympathectomized animals and animals lesioned in the trigeminal ganglion. These findings suggest that most of the peptide-containing fibers in the intestinal transplants and the host irides originate in the transplanted tissue. Thus, it is shown that peptide neurons can survive in this transplantation model, which may be useful for functional studies of intestinal physiology including peptidergic mechanisms.

Substance P-, VIP-, and enkephalin-like immunoreactivity in the human vagus nerve

The human vagus nerve has been investigated for the presence of substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), and enkephalin (ENK) using immunohistochemistry. After 0.5-4 hr of nerve ligation during surgical operations two right thoracic main truncs, two anterior subdiaphragmal trunks, and four anterior nerves of Latarjet were found to contain accumulation of immunoreactive material in nerve fibers above the ligation. Very high numbers of SP-, medium numbers of ENK-, and low number of VIP-immunoreactive fibers were seen. The relative proportions were similar at all levels studied. These data thus indicate the presence and axonal transport of SP-, ENK-, and VIP-like peptides in the human vagus nerve. Our observations in humans correlate well with results obtained from other species. Thus gastrointestinal vagal sensory mechanisms may be mediated by SP (and possibly VIP) and some motor mechanisms by ENK.

Localization and possible function of peptidergic neurons and their interactions with central catecholamine neurons, and the central actions of gut hormones

The localization of various neuropeptides is described in the gut and in the hypothalamus in the rat. Evidence is given for the presence of material resembling corticotropin-like intermediate peptide in arcuate and periarcuate neurons, projecting to various hypothalamic nuclei, limbic areas and the thalamus. beta-Endorphin and glucagon decrease dopamine turnover in the median eminence, while secretin increases dopamine turnover and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) has no effect. beta-Endorphin, VIP, secretin, and glucagon all produce discrete changes in norepinephrine turnover in various hypothalamic nuclei. Mainly increases of norepinephrine turnover were observed. These catecholamine turnover changes appear to cause changes in the secretion of prolactin and growth hormone. The results therefore indicate that gut hormones and opioid peptides may act directly on the hypothalamus on specific types of receptors to participate in the control of hypothalamic functions such as control of hormone secretion from the anterior pituitary and of food intake. It seems possible that gastrointestinal peptides released from the gastrointestinal tract into the circulation under certain circumstances could reach the hypothalamus and modulate its activity via the above-mentioned mechanisms. It may therefore be speculated that disturbances in gastrointestinal functions could lead to pathological changes in food intake via modulation of hypothalamic activity.

VIP-, enkephalin-, substance P- and somatostatin-like immunoreactivity in neurons intrinsic to the intestine: immunohistochemical evidence from organotypic tissue cultures

Small intestine from 18-day fetal mice grown for 3 weeks in organotypic tissue culture was found to contain numerous VIP, enkephalin, substance P and some somatostatin immunoreactive nerve fibers. Since these cultures should be devoid of all afferent or other extrinsic neuronal inputs, it is concluded that there are VIP, enkephalin, substance P and somatostatin containing neurons intrinsic to the intestinal wall. However, all 4 peptides may also be present in neurons originating outside the gastrointestinal tract as well as in the intrinsic neurons.

Watery diarrhea syndrome. Two unusual cases and further evidence that VIP is a humoral mediator

Two unusual cases of the watery diarrhea syndrome are presented. In one patient an adrenal medullary tumor, a pheochromocytoma that produced vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) was excised with total relief of symptoms. The second patient a 65-year-old man with abrupt onset of massive watery diarrhea that led to acidosis and coma was symptomatically controlled for one year on 10 mg/day of prednisone. Elevated levels of VIP returned to normal after prednisone therapy was started. A benign islet cell tumor not localized by angiography was removed by distal pancreatic resection. Tissue levels of VIP were markedly elevated. VIP is a humoral mediator of the water diarrhea syndrome. Both benign and malignant pancreatic and extrapancreatic tumors may cause the watery diarrhea syndrome. Steroids may cause symptomatic relief of the diarrhea by lowering peptide levels to normal. The term watery diarrhea syndrome may be more accurate than the pancreatic cholera syndrome.

Human tubal fluid collection via vagina and its quantitative variations during the menstrual cycle

The culdoscope was used for easy approach to the fallopian tube, which was delivered into the vagina, and a Foley catheter (No. 8 French) was introduced through its fimbrial end for collection of human tubal secretion. It was left from one to eight days. The technique was successful in 54 cases out of 60, but we succeeded in collecting enough fluid in 44 cases only. The volume of human tubal fluid was studied in relation to the phase of the cycle. A peak of fluid volume was found to occur at the midcycle.

Clinical study on the antifungal activity of griseofulvin in the presence of surfactants

Scales were taken from 128 human volunteers suffering from ringworm infections and grown on Sabourand's media to determine the type of organisms causing the disease. Groups of 32 patients each were treated for sixty days with griseofulvin tablets containing dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, cetyl pyridinium chloride and polysorbate 80 respectively, while another group of 32 was given tablets containing griseofulvin only for the same period. The subjects treated with griseofulvin tablets containing surfactants showed a higher rate of cure than those treated with griseofulvin alone.

Pancreatic cholera. Sudies on tumoral secretions and pathophysiology of diarrhea

Tumoral secretions and pathophysiology of diarrhea were studied in 1 patient with pancreatic cholera. High concentrations of vasoactive intestinal peptide were found in both systemic blood and tumoral extracts, together with increased plasma levels of calcitonin and protaglandins E and Falpha. Gastric inhibitory peptide and gastrointestinal and pancreatic hormones were absent from the tumor, except for small amounts of glucagon, and their blood levels were normal. Decreased basal but normal pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion, normal basal and secretin-stimulated pancreatic secretion, increased volume of gallbladder bile with high bicarbonate, and low bile salt concentrations were observed, but the electrolyte content and flow rate of fluid passing the duodenojejunal junction were within normal limits. Small intestine was found to be the origin of the water and electrolyte fasting losses. Jejunum was the site of bicarbonate secretion. Jejunal glucose and leucine-stimulated water and sodium transports were also strikingly decreased, whereas the absorption rates of the sugar and amino acid were normal. Colon reabsorbed high amounts of water and sodium but increased potassium losses. Biological effects of vasoactive intestinal peptide may explain most of the patient's upper digestive secretion abnormalities and small intestinal function impairments, whereas secondary aldosteronism might explain the modified colonic function.

Sterility enhancement in the mosquito. Culex tritaeniorhynchus

The sterilities of stocks with chromosomal aberrations were enhanced by re-irradiation. Males heterozygous for two independent aberrations were synthesized and their sterilities determined. The possible advantages of the double heterozygote males over either completely sterile males or those heterozygous for only one aberrational complex are discussed.