Somatostatin is present in a subpopulation of noradrenergic nerve fibres supplying the intestine

An immunohistochemical study of somatostatin-containing nerves in the aganglionic colon of human and rat

The distribution of somatostatin-like immunoreactive (SOM-LI) nerves was elucidated immunohistochemically in the gut tissues from patients with Hirschsprung's disease and congenital aganglionosis rats. In the normoganglionic human colon, SOM-LI nerve cell bodies were found to a greater extent in the submucous plexus and to a lesser extent in the myenteric plexus. However, they were rarely observed in both the plexuses of the oligoganglionic segment. SOM-LI nerve fibres were widely distributed in the aganglionic bowel. The circular muscle layer of the distal aganglionic segment was densely innervated by SOM-LI nerve fibres which are probably derived from the extrinsic, hypertrophic nerve bundles. A decreased number of the intramuscular nerves fibres were seen in the proximal aganglionic segment. In the colon and rectum from adult and 21-day-old rats, SOM-LI cell bodies were numerous in both plexuses. On the other hand, enteric neurons were completely lacking from the colon and rectum of congenital aganglionosis rats of 21 days old. No neuronal elements staining for SOM were disclosed in these aganglionic segments of mutant rats. A possible origin and pathophysiological role of the extrinsic nerve fibres containing SOM in the diseased bowel are discussed. It is concluded that SOM-LI nerves in the human distal colon comprise both intrinsic and extrinsic elements, while SOM nerves in the rat colon and rectum are of only intrinsic origin.

Co-localization and plasticity of transmitters in peripheral autonomic and sensory neurons

Immunohistochemical studies have shown that most peripheral autonomic and sensory ganglia are heterogeneous, consisting of several populations of neurons which can be distinguished by their content of peptide and non-peptide transmitters, and transmitter-associated enzymes. Many neurons contain several different potential transmitters, especially neuropeptides. Some neuropeptides have been localized in more than one population of autonomic and sensory neurons. However, the peptide often occurs together with a distinctive combination of additional transmitters in each neuronal class. The precise combination of transmitters found in any individual neuron is highly correlated with the peripheral target of the neuron. This indicates that immunohistochemically defined neuronal populations represent distinct functional classes of neurons. In an increasing number of cases, many of the potential transmitters contained in a particular neuron have been shown to be released from the nerve terminals, and to contribute to presynaptic or postsynaptic effects of nerve activation. Despite this association between the combination of potential transmitters contained in a neuron, and the function of the neuron, not all transmitters or transmitter-associated enzymes are expressed equally at all times in the life of a neuron: the levels of some substances change dramatically during development; some are detected only after experimental alteration of the environment of the developing or mature neurons. Taken together, these results indicate that, during development, pathway-specific information influences the differentiation of peripheral autonomic and sensory neurons. Furthermore, the expression of neuropeptides and transmitter-associated enzymes in a particular neuron appears to be under continuous regulation. These phenomena demonstrate the complexity and precision involved in development and maintenance of the peripheral autonomic and sensory nervous systems.

Histamine H2 receptor mediates postsynaptic excitation and presynaptic inhibition in submucous plexus neurons of the guinea-pig

Intracellular recordings were made from submucous plexus neurons of the guinea-pig cecum maintained in vitro. Histamine (0.3-10 microM) produced a dose-dependent membrane depolarization (congruent to 13 mV with 3 microM) in about 28% of the cells tested; most of these cells showed a prominent calcium-activated potassium conductance (AH cells). The depolarization was due primarily to an inactivation of potassium conductance which is available at the resting membrane potential of -60 mV. Peak amplitude of the fast excitatory postsynaptic potential was depressed by histamine (0.1-10 microM) in a dose-dependent manner (congruent to 62% depression with 1 microM). This was observed even in those cells in which histamine did not produce any membrane depolarizations (mostly S cells). The depression of the fast excitatory postsynaptic potential resulted from the presynaptic inhibition of acetylcholine release. Histamine also reduced the amplitude of the non-cholinergic, presumably peptidergic, slow excitatory postsynaptic potential by suppressing peptide release from presynaptic nerve terminals. Peak amplitude of the adrenergic inhibitory synaptic potential was not depressed by histamine suggesting that histamine receptors are not present on presynaptic terminals of sympathetic nerve fibres. Both postsynaptic and presynaptic actions of histamine were blocked by cimetidine or ranitidine but not by pyrilamine implying that H2 receptors are involved.

Localization of bombesin-, neuropeptide Y-, enkephalin- and tyrosine hydroxylase-like immunoreactivities in rat coeliac-superior mesenteric ganglion

The localization of bombesin- (BOMB) and enkephalin- (ENK) immunoreactive (IR) nerves was studied in rat coeliac-superior mesenteric ganglion complex in relation to neuropeptide Y (NPY)- and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive neurons with an immunofluorescence double-staining method. Very dense networks of BOMB-IR nerve terminals surrounded the majority of the principal ganglion cells, whether or not they were TH-IR. BOMB-IR nerves were specifically related to the non-NPY-IR neurons. Moderately dense networks of ENK-IR fibers were unevenly distributed among the ganglion cells. Majority of these neurons exhibited TH-IR and some of them also contained NPY-IR. In sections double stained with antibodies to ENK and BOMB some nerve fibers contained both peptides. The findings suggest that BOMB-IR nerves, which have been previously demonstrated to originate from gut, control the function of non-NPY-IR ganglion cells. ENK-IR nerves apparently control the adrenergic neurons which project to gut and also some NPY-IR vasomotoric neurons. The finding that ENK- and BOMB-IR coexist in some nerves suggests that some ENK-IR nerves may originate from gut, although the major part probably represents preganglionic fibers originating from spinal cord.

Correlated electrophysiological and histochemical studies of submucous neurons and their contribution to understanding enteric neural circuits

Neither submucous ganglia, nor intestinal secretomotor reflexes are mentioned in the majority of the textbooks of physiology; because it has been realized only very recently that the submucous neurons may have important influences on whole body water and electrolyte balance. In the present review, we trace the rapid progress that has been made in determining the physiological properties of submucous neurons with known chemistry and projections in the guinea-pig small intestine, and we analyze how the work relates to studies in vivo of the neuronal control of intestinal trans-epithelial fluid transport. Four types of submucous neurons, which appear to be the full complement in the guinea-pig small intestine, have been identified through electrophysiological and histochemical analysis. (1) Cholinergic secretomotor neurons contain immunoreactivity for choline-acetyltransferase (ChAT), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), cholecystokinin (CCK), neuropeptide Y (NPY), somatostatin (SOM), and in the majority of cases galanin (GAL); these neurons project to the mucosal epithelium. (2) Non-cholinergic secretomotor neurons contain dynorphin (DYN), GAL and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP); these neurons project to the mucosa and provide collaterals to submucous arterioles. (3) Cholinergic interneurons contain ChAT alone; these neurons connect with the secretomotor neurons. (4) Presumed sensory neurons contain ChAT and substance P (SP) and have nerve endings in the mucosa. The two groups of secretomotor neurons receive cholinergic synaptic inputs from both myenteric and submucous ganglia. In addition, the DYN/GAL/VIP neurons receive sympathetic inhibitory inputs as well as inhibitory and non-cholinergic excitatory inputs from myenteric ganglia. The ChAT/SP nerve cells in submucous ganglia receive no or very ineffective inputs. From these data, from experiments on transmission from the neurons to the intestinal epithelium, and from studies of secretomotor reflexes in vivo, a correlated functional and structural circuitry of the submucous ganglia and their connections has been deduced. It is concluded that secretomotor reflexes are stimulated by the contents of the lumen during the digestion and absorption of food and that these reflexes cause a proportion of water and electrolytes that are absorbed with nutrients such as glucose to be returned to the lumen. The balance of absorption and secretion of water and electrolytes is controlled by sympathetic inhibitory inputs to secretomotor neurons, the activity in sympathetic pathways being varied to contribute to whole body water and electrolyte balance.

Differential susceptibility of prevertebral and paravertebral sympathetic ganglia to experimental injury

To investigate the response of selected sympathetic ganglia to experimental injury, neonatal rat pups were treated with either 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), guanethidine, or antiserum to nerve growth factor (anti-NGF). When examined at one month of age, each of the treatments resulted in a significantly greater loss of neurons and tyrosine hydroxylase activity in paravertebral (superior cervical and stellate) versus prevertebral (superior mesenteric and celiac) sympathetic ganglia. Guanethidine treatment produced the largest differential in neuron loss and tyrosine hydroxylase activity between pre- and paravertebral ganglia. Histologically, the acute phase of guanethidine-induced injury in the superior cervical, paravertebral, ganglia was characterized by a prominent mononuclear cell infiltrate and extensive neuronal degeneration. Minimal histopathologic changes were seen in the superior mesenteric, prevertebral, ganglia of the same animals. Immunolocalization of tyrosine hydroxylase and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in guanethidine-treated animals showed a preferential loss of sympathetic innervation of the extramural mesenteric vasculature with relative sparing of the noradrenergic innervation of Auerbach's myenteric plexus. Differences in the susceptibility of sympathetic ganglia to various insults may underlie the selective and heterogeneous involvement of sympathetic ganglia in clinical and experimental situations.

Distribution and origin of peptide-containing nerve fibers in the celiac superior mesenteric ganglion of the guinea-pig

The origin of the peptidergic nerve fibers and terminals in the celiac superior mesenteric ganglion of the guinea-pig was studied. The distribution of immunoreactivity to enkephalin, substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide, cholecystokinin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide/peptide histidine isoleucine, bombesin and dynorphin was analysed in intact animals and in animals subjected to various denervation and ligation procedures. The present results show that each of the connected nerve trunks carries peptidergic pathways and contributes to the peptidergic networks in the celiac superior mesenteric ganglion. Thus, the thoracic splanchnic nerves contain enkephalin-, substance P- and calcitonin gene-related peptide-immunoreactivity of which substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide coexist in the same nerve fibers. In addition, cholecystokinin-, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide/peptide histidine isoleucine- and dynorphin-immunoreactivity is present in some fibers. All of these immunoreactivities are present in sensory neurons except enkephalin which probably originates in the spinal cord. The mesenteric nerves carry enkephalin-, calcitonin gene-related peptide-, cholecystokinin-, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide/peptide histidine isoleucine-, bombesin- and dynorphin-immunoreactive fibers from the intestine and are the main source for cholecystokinin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide/peptide histidine isoleucine, bombesin and dynorphin fibers. Double-staining experiments indicate that many of these peptides are synthesized in the same enteric neurons. Also the intermesenteric nerve contains peptide-immunoreactive fibers to the celiac superior mesenteric ganglion from different sources, probably including the distal colon as well as dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord at lower thoracic and lumbar levels. The results are discussed in relation to earlier morphological and physiological studies supporting the view of a role of the celiac superior mesenteric ganglion in local reflex mechanisms involved in regulation of gastrointestinal functions.

Changes in surviving nerve fibers associated with submucosal arteries following extrinsic denervation of the small intestine

The neuropeptide content of nerve fibers associated with submucosal arteries in the small intestine of guinea pigs was studied in whole-mount preparations using immunohistochemical methods. Tissues were obtained from normal animals or animals in which the small intestine had been extrinsically denervated. In normal animals, submucosal arteries are innervated by extrinsic sensory nerve fibers which contain both substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide, and by sympathetic noradrenergic nerve fibers. In preparations obtained from animals 5-9 days after denervation, nerve fibers which contained substance P without detectable calcitonin gene-related peptide were associated with a few submucosal arteries. Nerve fibers which contained vasoactive intestinal peptide were also associated with some arteries. By 42-48 days after extrinsic denervation, substance P-containing fibers (without calcitonin gene-related peptide) and vasoactive intestinal peptide-containing fibers were associated with nearly every blood vessel. The extrinsic sympathetic nerve fibers did not regenerate during the course of this study. The nerve fibers associated with submucosal arteries in denervated tissues were not sensitive to capsaicin treatment. The alteration in the innervation of submucosal arterioles that follows extrinsic denervation of the gut may reflect either an increase in the neuropeptide content of the fibers, synthesis of a new peptide, or an increase in the number of fibers as a result of axonal sprouting.

Effects of chronic experimental streptozotocin-induced diabetes on the noradrenergic and peptidergic innervation of the rat alimentary tract

Immunohistologic localization of tyrosine hydroxylase (TOH), dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) and selected neuropeptides (vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP)/bombesin, substance P, Leu-enkephalin, Met-enkephalin, dynorphin B, neuropeptide Y (NPY), somatostatin) was used to investigate the innervation of the small bowel in a rat model of diabetic autonomic neuropathy. Paravascular mesenteric nerves (extrinsic) and intramural nerves of chronically (12-18 month) diabetic rats were characterized by the presence of numerous, markedly swollen dystrophic axons which stained intensely for TOH and DBH. The peptidergic complement of axons, however, showed no evidence of comparable dystrophic axonopathy.

Distribution and coexistence of peptides in nerve fibers of the external muscle of the human gastrointestinal tract

The nerve fibers that supply the external muscle of the human gastrointestinal tract were examined for their immunoreactivity to the neuropeptides enkephalin, neuropeptide Y, somatostatin, substance P, and vasoactive intestinal peptide, for tyrosine hydroxylase (a catecholamine-synthesizing enzyme), and for coexistence between immunoreactivities in nerve fibers. Studies on coexistence revealed that the majority of reactive nerve fibers could be placed in one of two classes: (a) those fibers with reactivity to enkephalin or substance P, or both, and (b) fibers containing one or both of the peptides neuropeptide Y and vasoactive intestinal peptide. Many fibers immunoreactive for vasoactive intestinal peptide or neuropeptide Y, or both, were found throughout the external smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract, but neuropeptide Y-reactive fibers were less common in the small and large intestines than in the stomach and esophagus. Fibers immunoreactive for enkephalin or substance P, or both, were sparse in the esophagus, increased in numbers to reach maximal frequency in the pylorus, and maintained a similar frequency in the small and large intestines. Fibers with somatostatin or tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity were rare. In general, sphincter regions were similar to nonsphincter regions in peptide-immunoreactive fiber numbers and types, except that the internal anal sphincter had no enkephalin-immunoreactive fibers and very few substance P-reactive fibers. Moderate numbers of fibers reactive for neuropeptide Y and vasoactive intestinal peptide were found in the internal anal sphincter. It is suggested that enkephalin and substance P are in excitatory fibers and that vasoactive intestinal peptide and neuropeptide Y are in fibers inhibitory to the external muscle.

The effect of splanchnic nerve stimulation and neuropeptide Y on cholera secretion and release of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in the feline small intestine

The effect of sympathetic nerve stimulation and intra-arterial infusion of neuropeptide Y (NPY) on net fluid secretion and release of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) was studied in the cat small intestine during a secretion due to cholera toxin. Activation of the splanchnic nerves (4 Hz, 5 ms, 5 V) decreased net fluid secretion to 57 +/- 10% of control. Concomitantly, the release of VIP was reduced to less than 50%. Furthermore, close i.a. infusion of NPY (estimated increase in plasma concentration 75 nmol l-1) reduced the net fluid secretion and VIP release to 27 +/- 5 and 28 +/- 4% of the pre-stimulatory value. The correlation between the decrease in net fluid secretion and reduction in VIP release showed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.83). These results strongly indicate that the antisecretory effect of sympathetic nerve stimulation during cholera diarrhoea is mediated by inhibition of secretory VIP neurons in the intestinal mucosa. A similar mechanism is also proposed for the intravascularly administered NPY.

Distribution of subgroups of neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive and noradrenergic nerves in the female rat uterine cervix

Nerves in the uterine cervix of the rat were examined with regard to co-existence of markers for noradrenaline and neuropeptide Y, and differential tissue innervation by nerves containing different combinations of these markers. Immunohistochemical labeling of single and adjacent serial cryostat sections, and double labeling was employed. Some animals were treated with the noradrenergic neurotoxin, 6-hydroxydopamine. In control animals neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive fibers were numerous in the myometrium and around arteries; noradrenergic fibers were few in the myometrium and moderate in number around arteries. Myometrial neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive fibers were not decreased, but apparently increased, in 6-hydroxy-dopamine-treated rats; in contrast, perivascular neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive fibers were markedly reduced, but not totally absent. Noradrenergic fibers were absent in the myometrium and around arteries following 6-hydroxydopamine treatment. Labeling of adjacent sections and double labeling revealed coincident labeling of markers for neuropeptide Y and noradrenaline in perivascular, but not myometrial, nerves. We concluded that most myometrial neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive nerves did not contain noradrenaline since they were not sensitive to 6-hydroxydopamine and did not stain doubly; however, perivascular neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive fibers which degenerated after 6-hydroxydopamine treatment and did label doubly must co-store noradrenaline. Some neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive perivascular fibers may contain neuropeptide Y but not noradrenaline. Thus, it appears there is a differential innervation of tissues in the cervix by neuropeptide Y/noradrenergic nerves; this could reflect a differential regulation of tissues innervated by these nerves.

Immunohistochemistry of biogenic polypeptides in nerve cells and fibres of the guinea pig inferior mesenteric ganglion after perturbations

Immunohistochemistry of peptide- and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase-(DBH)-containing varicose nerve fibres and ganglion cells, respectively, in the guinea pig inferior mesenteric ganglion was investigated following a) transsection of mesenteric (colonic) branches, b) transsection of central (lumbar splanchnic, intermesenteric and hypogastric) branches, and c) transplantation into the spleen. The findings indicate that pathways of different opioid peptides are not identical. Met-enkephalin- and met-enkephalin-arg-phe- (cleavage products from pre-proenkephalin) containing fibres course in central branches to make contact in the inferior mesenteric ganglion. Dynorphin- and alpha-neo-endorphin- (deriving from pre-prodynorphin) containing fibres as well as leu-enkephalin- (included in the dynorphin sequence) fibres appear to rise not only from central and from enteric somata, but also from intraganglionic noradrenergic neurons. Similar pathways seem to be used by VIP- and by neurotensin-immunoreactive fibres, although intraganglionic neurotensin-immunoreactive cell bodies are rare. Practically all substance P- and most CGRP-immunoreactive fibres enter the ganglion via central branches and, to a large extent, traverse it, but some CGRP-immunoreactive influx appears to come from the intestine. The origin of intraganglionic substance P- and CGRP-immunoreactive fibres after ganglion transplantation remained unidentified. Somatostatin- and neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive fibres predominantly have an intraganglionic origin as have DBH-immunoreactive noradrenergic fibres. The demonstrated alterations in neuropeptide immunoreactivity of intraganglionic and periganglionic nerve fibres following the applied transsection procedures contribute to the present knowledge on origin and destination of peptidergic transmitter segments in the guinea pig inferior mesenteric ganglion. Moreover, the present study provides evidence that intrinsic participation in intraganglionic fibre supply is more extensive than hitherto believed.

Intrinsic and extrinsic inhibitory synaptic inputs to submucous neurones of the guinea-pig small intestine

1. The sources of inhibitory synaptic inputs to neurones in submucous ganglia of the guinea-pig small intestine were examined by making lesions to cause selective degeneration of nerve terminals of sympathetic or intrinsic origin. Intracellular recordings were used to evaluate the effects of lesions on the inhibitory inputs. Immunohistochemical techniques were used to identify the neurochemical classes of the impaled neurones and to confirm the efficacy of the lesions. 2. The neurones from which recordings were taken were filled with the fluorescent dye Lucifer Yellow. The preparations were then fixed and processed for immunohistochemistry. 3. Thirty-one neurones reactive for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) were examined in control submucous ganglia and all exhibited inhibitory synaptic potentials. In preparations extrinsically denervated by severing the mesenteric nerves, twenty-seven of twenty-eight VIP-reactive neurones had inhibitory synaptic potentials. This indicates that these neurones receive inhibitory synaptic inputs from intrinsic neurones. However, significantly more stimuli were required to evoke a detectable inhibitory synaptic potential in extrinsically denervated preparations than in normal intestine. 4. Extrinsic denervations were combined with removal of the myenteric plexus so that nerve terminals arising from both cell bodies in extrinsic ganglia and in the myenteric plexus degenerated. Under these conditions no inhibitory synaptic potentials could be recorded in any of the nine VIP-reactive neurones studied. 5. The conductance change underlying the intrinsic inhibitory synaptic potentials appeared to be similar to that underlying the responses in normal intestine. 6. The time courses of the intrinsic inhibitory synaptic potentials differed from those of the control responses. The responses to short trains of stimuli were significantly briefer and the responses to long trains significantly more prolonged in the extrinsically denervated preparations than in normal preparations. 7. The intrinsic inhibitory synaptic potentials were not significantly affected by phentolamine (0.2 microM), guanethidine (1 microM) or naloxone (1 microM), although the first two drugs markedly depressed control inhibitory synaptic potentials.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Axons of peripheral origin preferentially synapse with tonic neurones in the guinea pig coeliac ganglion

Intracellular recordings from a population of guinea pig coeliac neurones projecting in the coeliac nerves were used to define their central and peripheral synaptic input. The neurones were classified as 'phasic' or 'tonic' by their discharge in response to depolarizing current. Stimuli applied to the greater splanchnic nerves evoked suprathreshold responses in 89% of phasic neurones, but in less than half the tonic neurones. In contrast, coeliac nerve stimulation evoked only small subthreshold responses in 11% of phasic neurones, but multiple synaptic potentials in 92% of tonic neurones. This suggests that peripheral intestinal reflexes involve only one sympathetic neurone type.

Locus coeruleus neurons in the rat containing neuropeptide Y, tyrosine hydroxylase or galanin and their efferent projections to the spinal cord, cerebral cortex and hypothalamus

The efferent projections of locus coeruleus neurons which contain neuropeptide Y-, tyrosine hydroxylase- or galanin-like immunoreactivity were investigated using the indirect immunofluorescence technique combined with the retrograde transport of the fluorescent substance Fast Blue. Four groups of rats received injections of Fast Blue: (1) bilaterally into the mid-thoracic spinal cord (T6-T7); (2) unilaterally into the low cervical spinal cord (C4-C5); (3) unilaterally into the paraventricular, periventricular and dorsomedial hypothalamic nuclei; and (4) unilaterally into five sites in the cerebral cortex (frontal, cingulate and striate cortex). Efferent projections to the spinal cord, hypothalamus and cerebral cortex from neuropeptide Y-, tyrosine hydroxylase- and galanin-containing locus coeruleus cells were observed. A higher percentage of the peptidergic locus coeruleus neurons projected to the hypothalamus than to the spinal cord or cerebral cortex. The distribution and morphology of the neuropeptide Y- and galanin-containing neurons in the locus coeruleus were also investigated. Neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity and galanin-like immunoreactivity were found in small, medium and large multipolar neurons, as well as in fusiform locus coeruleus cells. The neuropeptide Y- and galanin-immunoreactive neurons were found throughout the locus coeruleus. In the caudal locus coeruleus, they were primarily located in the dorsal portion. Neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity and galanin-like immunoreactivity were only seen in a few tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons of the subcoeruleus group. The data show that the peptide-containing locus coeruleus neurons have efferent projections to the spinal cord, hypothalamus and cerebral cortex. The locus coeruleus may be divided into functional subdivisions dependent on the region of the locus coeruleus, the neurotransmitter/neuropeptide(s) contained within the neurons and their efferent projections.

Multi- and single-fibre mesenteric and renal sympathetic responses to chemical stimulation of intestinal receptors in cats

1. In cats anaesthetized with alpha-chloralose and artificially respired, stimulation of intestinal receptors with bradykinin caused greater reflex excitation of mesenteric than of renal efferent multifibre nerve activity and significant pressor responses. 2. Activity of all nerve bundles used in this study was inhibited by stimulation of pressoreceptors. Increases in systemic arterial pressure caused inhibition of activity of renal nerves which was significantly greater than that of mesenteric nerves. 3. Spinal transection caused significant decreases in tonic renal nerve activity without altering the ongoing discharge rate of mesenteric nerves. Stimulation of intestinal receptors in spinal cats still caused significant increases is discharge of mesenteric and renal nerves, indicating that this reflex contains a spinal component. 4. Recordings of activity of individual fibres within mesenteric (21) and renal (23) nerves provided information regarding the basis for the multifibre responses to stimulation of intestinal receptors. The same proportion of fibres from both nerves was excited, but the increase in activity of mesenteric fibres was significantly greater than that of renal fibres. 5. Mesenteric fibres could be classified into two groups, based on their sensitivity to pressoreceptor influences. Fibres that exhibited pressoreceptor-independent discharge had the greatest responses to stimulation of intestinal receptors. 6. Following spinal transection the majority of mesenteric fibres continued to fire, whereas most renal fibres became quiescent. 7. The non-uniform pattern of neuronal excitation to chemical stimulation of intestinal receptors was manifest after spinal transection, demonstrating that exclusively spinal pathways can mediate this differential response pattern. 8. These results support the hypothesis that viscero-sympathetic reflexes may be organized to cause preferential excitation of neural activity directed to the organ from which the reflex originates.

Two calcium-activated potassium conductances in a subpopulation of coeliac neurones of guinea-pig and rabbit

1. Some of the sympathetic neurones in coeliac ganglia isolated from young guinea-pigs and rabbits were found to generate action potentials followed by after-hyperpolarizations with durations of 3-8 s, much longer than those (congruent to 300-500 ms) observed in the majority of other mammalian sympathetic neurones. 2. This type of ganglion cell discharged only once at the onset of a depolarizing step unless a very high intensity current was applied. Passive and voltage-dependent membrane conductances studied in detail in guinea-pig ganglia differed from those in the two other classes of sympathetic ganglion cell described previously (Cassell, Clark & McLachlan, 1986). 3. By using a single microelectrode to voltage clamp the soma, it was possible to demonstrate that both fast and slow components of the tail current following initiation of an uncontrolled 'action current' in neurones with long after-hyperpolarizations (l.a.h.) were carried by K+ ions, as was the fast tail current (time constant, tau congruent to 130 ms) present in other coeliac neurones. 4. The amplitude of both components of the tail current in l.a.h. neurones was markedly reduced by the replacement of Ca2+ by Mn2+, Co2+ or Ba2+ ions. These manoeuvres had similar effects on the fast tail current in other coeliac neurones. 5. Both time course and amplitude of the fast tail current were increased when Ca2+ concentration was raised, or when several 'action currents' were initiated, whereas only the amplitude of the slow tail current was affected. 6. The time course of the slow tail current could be described by the sum of two exponentials with tau on = 285 ms and tau off = 1.3 s at 35 degrees C occurring after a delay of 60 ms. This current had a Q10 of about 4 between 35 and 25 degrees C. In contrast, the Q10 of the fast component was about 2. 7. Morphine (10(-6) M) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (10(-6) M) had no effect on the outward tail current in l.a.h. neurones, but 5-hydroxytryptamine (10(-6) M) was found to abolish the slow component without affecting the fast component. 8. The slow tail current was activated in the subthreshold range of membrane potentials, and its properties could account for the firing characteristics of this subpopulation of sympathetic neurones. 9. The two calcium-activated potassium conductances that are responsible for the prolonged after-hyperpolarization resemble those in a subpopulation of nodose ganglion cells with unmyelinated axons (Fowler, Greene & Weinreich, 1985).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Distributions of neuropeptides in the human esophagus

The distributions of nerve cells and fibers with immunoreactivity for the peptides substance P, somatostatin, enkephalin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, gastrin-releasing peptide, and neuropeptide Y and the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase were examined in 25 samples of human esophagus. These were compared with samples of stomach and intestine. In the smooth muscle of the muscularis externa, the muscularis mucosae, and beneath the epithelium, the most abundant nerve fibers contained vasoactive intestinal peptide and neuropeptide Y, in contrast to the scarcity of substance P, enkephalin, somatostatin, and gastrin-releasing peptide. Gastric and intestinal samples contained dense populations of fibers containing vasoactive intestinal peptide, neuropeptide Y, substance P, and enkephalin in the equivalent layers, but somatostatin- and gastrin-releasing peptide-immunoreactive fibers were scarce. Complete coexistence of vasoactive intestinal peptide and neuropeptide Y in nerve fibers within the muscle layers was demonstrated in the esophagus, but not in gastric and intestinal samples. The myenteric plexus along the length of the esophagus contained cell bodies and fibers reactive for vasoactive intestinal peptide, neuropeptide Y, enkephalin, and substance P. Somatostatin-immunoreactive cell bodies were very rare in the myenteric plexus, no gastrin-releasing peptide-immunoreactive cell bodies were seen, and both somatostatin and gastrin-releasing peptide-immunoreactive fibers were rare. In the upper esophagus, striated muscle bundles did not contain nerve fibers reactive for these peptides but immunoreactive fibers were seen in the muscularis mucosae and subepithelium. It is concluded that the esophagus has a different pattern of innervation by peptide-containing neurons than the stomach and intestines. Esophageal neurons can be classified into separate classes on the basis of their peptide content.

A non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic slow inhibitory post-synaptic potential in neurones of the guinea-pig submucous plexus

1. Intracellular recordings were made from neurones in the submucous plexus of guinea-pig ileum and caecum. The responses to electrical stimulation of fibre strands entering the nodes of the plexus were studied. 2. Stimuli comprising trains of pulses (20 Hz, 1-5 s) produced nicotinic excitatory post-synaptic potentials (fast e.p.s.p.s), an adrenergic inhibitory post-synaptic potential (i.p.s.p.), a slow excitatory post-synaptic potential (slow e.p.s.p.) and a fourth, hitherto unnoticed, slow hyperpolarization which followed the slow e.p.s.p. All these responses were abolished by tetrodotoxin or solutions containing a low calcium concentration. 3. The slow hyperpolarization (slow i.p.s.p.) was examined in the presence of blockers of the nicotinic and adrenergic responses, and in conditions in which the slow e.p.s.p. was prevented by desensitizing concentrations of substance P or vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. The slow i.p.s.p. was unaffected by prazosin (0.1-1 microM), propranolol (0.1-1 microM), atropine (1 microM) or naloxone (1 microM). 4. The amplitude and duration of the slow i.p.s.p. increased with increasing numbers of stimulus pulses; it had an amplitude of 17 mV and a duration of 70 s when evoked by a stimulus of 20 Hz for 3 s. 5. The slow i.p.s.p. was associated with a decrease in the input resistance of the cell. It reversed polarity at -90 mV in 4.7 mM-potassium and the extrapolated reversal potential in 0.47 mM-potassium was -145 mV; these findings indicate that the slow i.p.s.p. results from an increase in membrane potassium conductance. 6. The slow i.p.s.p. could still be recorded from submucous plexus neurones in segments of ileum which had been extrinsically denervated 6-11 days previously.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Somatostatin increases an inwardly rectifying potassium conductance in guinea-pig submucous plexus neurones

1. Intracellular recordings were made from neurones in the submucous plexus of the guinea-pig caecum and ileum. 2. Somatostatin hyperpolarized more than 90% of the neurones. The lowest effective concentration was 300 pM and the maximum hyperpolarization (about 30-35 mV) was caused by 30 nM. Under voltage clamp at -60 mV, somatostatin caused outward currents which reached a maximum of 350-700 pA. 3. The hyperpolarization or outward current reversed polarity at a membrane potential (about -90 mV in control solutions) which changed according to the logarithm of the external potassium concentration. 4. The somatostatin current showed inward rectification; when the inward rectification of the resting membrane was prevented by extracellular caesium or rubidium, the inward rectification of the somatostatin current also disappeared. 5. A potassium conductance with the same properties was increased by alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists and by delta-opioid receptor agonists; however, the effects of somatostatin were unaffected by antagonists at alpha 2- or delta-receptors. The somatostatin analogue, cyclo-aminoheptanoyl-Phe-D-Trp-Lys-(benzyl)Thr, also did not antagonize the actions of somatostatin. 6. The hyperpolarization (or outward current) was unaffected by forskolin, cholera toxin, sodium fluoride, phorbol esters or intracellular application of adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (ATP-gamma-S). However, when the recording electrode contained guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP-gamma-S) the hyperpolarizations reversed only partially when somatostatin application was discontinued, and repeated applications caused the membrane potential to approach and remain close to the potassium equilibrium potential. 7. It is concluded that somatostatin increases the conductance of a set of inwardly rectifying potassium channels in submucous plexus neurones. The coupling between somatostatin receptor and ion channel involves a guanosine 5'-triphosphate-binding protein, but is not likely to result from changes in intracellular levels of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate.

Coexistence of peptides with classical neurotransmitters

In the present article the fact is emphasized that neuropeptides often are located in the same neurons as classical transmitters such as acetylcholine, 5-hydroxy-tryptamine, catecholamines, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) etc. This raises the possibility that neurons produce, store and release more than one messenger molecule. The exact functional role of such coexisting peptides is often difficult to evaluate, especially in the central nervous system. In the periphery some studies indicate apparently meaningful interactions of different types with the classical transmitter, but other types of actions including trophic effects have been observed. More recently it has been shown that some neurons contain more than one classical transmitter, e.g. 5-HT plus GABA, further underlining the view that transfer of information across synapses may be more complex than perhaps hitherto assumed.

Neuropeptides and the microcircuitry of the enteric nervous system

The discovery of neuropeptides in enteric neurons has revolutionized the study of the microcircuitry of the enteric nervous system. From immunohistochemistry, it is now clear that some individual enteric neurons contain several different neuropeptides with or without other transmitter-specific markers and that these markers occur in various combinations. There is evidence from experiments in which nerve pathways are interrupted that populations of enteric neurons with different combinations of markers have different projection patterns, sending their processes to distinct targets using different routes. Correlations between the neurochemistry of enteric neurons and the types of synaptic inputs they receive are also beginning to emerge from electrophysiological studies. These findings imply that enteric neurons are chemically coded by the combinations of peptides and other transmitter-related substances they contain and that the coding of each population correlates with its role in the neuronal pathways that control gastrointestinal function.

Paracervical ganglia of the female rat: histochemistry and immunohistochemistry of neurons, SIF cells, and nerve terminals

The paracervical ganglia of the female rat were studied to elucidate the variety of neural elements in the ganglia. Light and electron microscopy, histochemistry, and immunohistochemistry were employed to reveal subtypes of neurons; small, intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells; and nerve terminals and to examine the relationships between these elements. On the basis of their histochemical markers, four subtypes of principal neurons were identified: acetylcholinesterase (ACHE)-positive, noradrenergic, neuropeptide tyrosine-immunoreactive (NPY-I), and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-immunoreactive (VIP-I). The NPY-I neurons appeared to be the most numerous and the noradrenergic the least common type of neuron. Four subtypes of chemically coded SIF cells were revealed: catecholamine-containing, NPY-I, and those immunoreactive for calcitonin-gene-related peptide (CGRP-I) and cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-8-I). The SIF cells were present as single cells among and adjacent to principal neurons and as large clusters near the edges of the ganglia or in nearby nerve trunks. Synaptic contacts on SIF cells, or between SIF-cell processes and neurons, were not observed. Seven subtypes of nerve terminals were stained: ACHE-positive, CGRP-I, CCK-8-I, VIP-I, substance P-I, enkephalin-I, and atrial natriuretic factor-I. Nerve terminals enwrapped the neurons as perineuronal plexuses in synaptic-like relationships. These results demonstrate that the paracervical ganglia of the female rat are a complex system of neural elements. For example, several classes of chemically coded neurons, SIF cells, and terminals exist in the ganglia. Each of these components contains a number of substances, some of which are putative neurotransmitters, which could influence activity in the ganglia or in the effector organs innervated by the ganglia.

Pathway-specific patterns of the co-existence of substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide, cholecystokinin and dynorphin in neurons of the dorsal root ganglia of the guinea-pig

The co-existence of immunoreactivities to substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), cholecystokinin (CCK) and dynorphin (DYN) in neurons of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of guinea-pigs has been investigated with a double-labeling immunofluorescence procedure. Four main populations of neurons could be identified that contained different combinations of these peptides and had distinctive peripheral projections: (Neurons that contained immunoreactivity to SP, CGRP, CCK and DYN were distributed mainly to the skin. Neurons with immunoreactivity to SP, CGRP and CCK, but not DYN, were distributed mainly to the small blood vessels of skeletal muscles. Neurons with immunoreactivity to SP, CGRP and DYN, but not CCK, were distributed mainly to pelvic viscera and airways. Neurons containing immunoreactivity to SP and CGRP, but not CCK and DYN, were distributed mainly to the heart, systemic blood vessels, blood vessels of the abdominal viscera, airways and sympathetic ganglia. Other small populations of DRG neurons containing SP, CGRP or CCK alone also were detected. Perikarya containing these combinations of neuropeptides were not found in autonomic ganglia. The peripheral axons of neurons containing immunoreactivity to at least SP and CGRP were damaged by chronic treatment with capsaicin. However, some sensory neurons containing CCK alone were not affected morphologically by capsaicin. These results clearly show that individual DRG neurons can contain many different neuropeptides. Furthermore, the combination of neuropeptides found in any particular neuron is related to its peripheral projection.

Development of the extrinsic sympathetic innervation to the enteric neurones of the rat small intestine

The development of the sympathetic control of motility of the small intestine of the rat has been studied over the early postnatal period. An inhibition of spontaneous motility was recorded in response to stimulation of the mesenteric paravascular nerve bundles as early as 3-4 days postnatal. At this time, the ganglia of the myenteric plexus were well supplied with noradrenergic nerve fibres, while not all of the ganglia of the submucous plexus were contacted by fibres until 6 days postnatal. The sympathetic innervation to the submucous arteries developed even later and at 9 days postnatal was still less dense than in adults. The onset of sympathetic function in the gut preceded that in the mesenteric arteries by several days. These results further support the hypothesis that the sympathetic neurones supplying the enteric ganglia are a subpopulation of cells distinct from those supplying the blood vessels of the mesentery and submucosa.

The source of the nerve fibres forming the deep muscular and circular muscle plexuses in the small intestine of the guinea-pig

A quantitative ultrastructural study was made of the neurites forming the deep muscular and circular muscle plexuses of the guinea-pig small intestine following microsurgical lesions designed to interrupt intrinsic and extrinsic nerve pathways within the intestinal wall. Removal of a collar of longitudinal muscle with attached myenteric plexus from the circumference of a segment of small intestine resulted in the underlying circular muscle. The few surviving neurites in the deep muscular plexus and circular muscle disappeared completely from lesioned segments that were, in addition, extrinsically denervated surgically. These results indicate that the majority of nerve fibres in the deep muscular and circular muscle plexuses of the guinea-pig small intestine is intrinsic to the intestine and originates from nerve cell bodies located in the overlying myenteric plexus. At the light-microscopic level, nerve bundles were traced from the myenteric plexus to the circular muscle.

Inotropic effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and somatostatin on the human right atrium in vitro

Inotropic responses to calcitonin gene-related peptide (alpha-CGRP), substance P, neurokinin A, capsaicin, neuropeptide Y, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and somatostatin (Som, 14 and 28 were analysed using the isolated, electrically driven auricle of the human right atrium. alpha-CGRP and VIP stimulated atrial contractility concentration dependently. alpha-CGRP was about 10-fold more potent than noradrenaline (NA) as an inotropic agent. Phentolamine plus metoprolol decreased the atrial response to NA significantly while the alpha-CGRP effect remained unchanged. Som did not influence the basal contractility of the atria, which, however, was inhibited by acetylcholine (ACh). ACh, Som 14 and Som 28 inhibited the NA-induced stimulation of atrial contractility, whereby Som 28 was more potent than Som 14. The inhibitory effects of ACh were completely blocked by atropine which did not influence the response to Som. Capsaicin, substance P, neurokinin A, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and the NPY fragments 1-19 and 26-36 did not induce any changes in contractility of the electrically driven human atrium. The present results suggest that some of the recently discovered neuropeptides (alpha-CGRP, VIP and Som) could be of importance in the regulation of cardiac contractility in man.

Sources of excitatory synaptic inputs to neurochemically identified submucous neurons of guinea-pig small intestine

The locations of the cell bodies of axons responsible for synaptic potentials evoked in neurochemically identified submucous neurons of the guinea-pig small intestine were investigated using a combination of intracellular recording, immunohistochemical and lesioning techniques. The myenteric plexus was removed from an 8-15 mm wide ring of small intestine in 15 anaesthetized guinea-pigs. After the operations, the animals were allowed to recover for 3-7 days so that nerve terminals that were disconnected from their cell bodies would degenerate. Preparations of submucous plexus were then made from the region under the lesion. Submucous neurons were impaled with electrodes containing a mixture of KCl and the fluorescent dye, Lucifer yellow CH, and their electrophysiological properties determined. They were then filled with the dye for subsequent reidentification after processing for immunohistochemical localization of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY). The synaptic inputs to 33 neurons were characterized: 19 of these were found to be VIP-reactive, 7 were NPY-reactive and 7 were negative for both VIP and NPY. These results were compared to those obtained from 43 neurons in control preparations: 25 VIP-reactive, 9 NPY-reactive and 9 negative for both VIP and NPY. Removal of the myenteric plexus caused a significant reduction in the number of inputs providing fast excitatory synaptic potentials to each of the neurochemically defined classes of neurons. The lesions also caused a significant reduction in the number of VIP-reactive neurons that exhibited slow excitatory synaptic potentials (other neurochemical types do not normally exhibit such responses).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The immunohistochemical distribution of neuropeptide Y in lumbar pre- and paravertebral sympathetic ganglia of the guinea pig

Neuropeptide Y (NPY)- like immunoreactive nerve cell bodies and nerve fibres have been studied in normal and colchicine-treated ganglia of the caudal lumbar sympathetic chain (LSC) and the inferior mesenteric ganglion (IMG) of the guinea pig. The great majority of noradrenergic ganglion cells in the LSC (defined as containing tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity), but less than 20% of those in the IMG, were NPY-positive. These proportions correspond well to the proportions of neurones that have been found to discharge phasically in electrophysiological experiments on the same ganglia. As noradrenergic terminals innervating blood vessels contain NPY, the data are consistent with the idea that phasic discharge is a characteristic of vasoconstrictor neurones.

Synaptic inputs to immunohistochemically identified neurones in the submucous plexus of the guinea-pig small intestine

1. Electrophysiological recordings were made from neurones in the submucous plexus of the guinea-pig small intestine, and these neurones were classified according to their synaptic inputs. 2. The neurones from which recording were made were filled during the recording period with the fluorescent dye, Lucifer Yellow, so they could be re-identified after processing for immunohistochemical localization of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). 3. The presence or absence of VIP-like immunoreactivity was determined for a total of 130 neurones whose synaptic inputs had been fully characterized and eighty-two were found to be VIP reactive. After the VIP reactivity had been assessed, the preparations were reprocessed to reveal immunoreactivity for neuropeptide Y (NPY) and a further twenty-three neurones (none of which were reactive for VIP) were found to be reactive for this peptide. Of the remaining twenty-five neurones, nineteen were not reactive for either VIP or NPY and six could not be re-identified after reprocessing. 4. Electrical stimulation of internodal strands evoked excitatory synaptic potentials lasting 20-30 ms (fast responses) in all but one of the 130 neurones studied. 5. Almost all the VIP-reactive neurones (seventy-eight of eighty-two cells) exhibited inhibitory synaptic potentials, ranging in amplitude from 2 to 30 mV and lasting 150-1500 ms, but few of the VIP-negative neurones had such responses (six of forty-eight cells). No inhibitory synaptic potentials could be evoked in any of the NPY-reactive neurones. 6. Most VIP-reactive neurones (sixty-nine) had a slow excitatory synaptic potential which could be evoked by a single stimulus, lasted 5-20 s and was associated with an increase in input resistance. Only one NPY-reactive neurone had a slow excitatory potential, but such potentials were seen in nine of the nineteen VIP-negative, NPY-negative neurones. 7. In nine of the twenty-three NPY-reactive neurones a single stimulus evoked an excitatory synaptic potential (intermediate excitatory synaptic potential) lasting 500-1500 ms and associated with a fall in the input resistance. None of the VIP-negative, NPY-negative neurones exhibited the intermediate excitatory potentials but it was not possible to determine whether such potentials could be evoked in VIP-reactive neurones because the inhibitory synaptic potentials would obscure such events. 8. It is concluded that neurochemically distinct populations of submucous neurones can be distinguished physiologically on the basis of the differing combinations of types of synaptic input they receive.

Electron microscopic study of neuropeptide Y-containing nerve elements of the guinea pig small intestine

Neuropeptide Y-containing nerve cell bodies and processes were identified by electron microscopic immunocytochemistry in the guinea pig small intestine. Labeled nerve processes were numerous in the myenteric plexus. However, a few immunoreactive nerve fibers were found in all layers of the small intestine. Some of the immunoreactive nerve processes were found in close apposition to the epithelial cells of the crypts of Lieberkühn and to endothelial and smooth muscle cells. The neuropeptide Y-containing nerve cell bodies were preferentially located in the submucous ganglia. In the myenteric plexus many synaptic connections were observed between the neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive nerve fibers and unlabeled nerve cell bodies and other nerve fibers. These findings provide a morphologic basis for the possibility that neuropeptide Y may act as a transmitter and exert postsynaptic effects on intrinsic neurons, in addition to participating in the regulation of smooth muscle activity and epithelial cell functions.

Density distribution of guinea pig myenteric plexus nerve endings containing immunoreactive substance P

The present study was performed to investigate how myenteric plexus nerve endings containing substance P are distributed in sucrose density gradients in relation to nerve endings capable of taking up 3H-acetylcholine or 14C-noradrenaline. The peak of substance P-immunoreactivity (ISP) was found at a density of 1.157 +/- 0.001 g X ml-1, that of 3H-radioactivity at 1.160 +/- 0.002 and that of 14C-radioactivity at 1.162 +/- 0.002 g X ml-1 (mean +/- SEM, N = 6); there was considerable overlap. In a second set of experiments, the resuspended P2-pellet was layered upon a discontinuous density gradient consisting of 0.6, 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 M sucrose. Nine fractions were recovered. There was a 2.5-3.4-fold increase in the relative specific activity of ISP in the 1.2 M fraction (density = 1.154 g X ml-1) and the adjoining interfaces. Conventional electron microscopy showed that synaptosomal elements were present in the transmitter-enriched fractions. It is concluded that the substance P-containing nerve endings of the guinea pig myenteric plexus co-distribute (and may be co-purified with) nerve endings utilizing noradrenaline or acetylcholine on sucrose density gradients.

Effects of noradrenaline and somatostatin on basal and stimulated mucosal ion transport in the guinea-pig small intestine

Noradrenaline (NA) and somatostatin (SOM) stimulate intestinal water and ion absorption and are found in mucosal nerve fibres and nerve terminals in submucous ganglia of the guinea-pig small intestine. As the main projection of submucous neurons is to the mucosa, NA and SOM might alter mucosal transport either by a direct effect on the epithelium or indirectly, by affecting submucous neurons. In this study these two possible sites of action of NA and SOM have been investigated in mucosa-submucosa preparations of guinea-pig ileum. In addition, the actions of NA and SOM on the secretory responses caused by stimulation of different populations of submucous neurons have been studied. The stimulants of secretion used were a nicotinic agonist, 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium (DMPP, 10(-5) M), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, 10(-7) M) and electrical field stimulation (EFS), which activate cholinergic, noncholinergic and mixed populations of submucous secretomotor neurons, respectively. Segments of intestine were dissected free of external muscle and myenteric plexus and mounted in Ussing chambers. Short-circuit current (Isc) was measured as an indication of net active ion transport across the tissue. NA (greater than or equal to 10(-8) M) and SOM (greater than 10(-10) M) each caused a decrease in Isc, indicating a net increase in ion absorption. The NA response was abolished and the magnitude of the SOM response was reduced to 20% by tetrodotoxin (10(-7) M). DMPP, 5-HT and EFS each stimulated nerves that increased Isc and each of these responses was significantly diminished by NA and SOM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Distribution of subgroups of noradrenaline neurons in the coeliac ganglion of the guinea-pig

The distributions within the coeliac ganglion of different chemically coded subgroups of noradrenaline neurons, and the relationships between these neurons and nerve fibres projecting to the ganglion from the intestine, have been assessed quantitatively by use of an immunohistochemical double-staining method. Noradrenaline (NA) neurons made up 99% of all cell bodies. Of these, 21% were also reactive for somatostatin (NA/SOM neurons), 53% were also reactive for NPY (NA/NPY neurons), and 26% were not reactive for either peptide. NA neurons without reactivity for any of the peptides whose localization was tested have been designated NA/-. A small percentage, about 1%, of neurons were reactive for both NPY and SOM. The three major types of NA neurons were arranged in clumps or ribbons throughout the ganglia, with a tendency for NA/SOM neurons to be medial and NA/NPY neurons to be lateral in the ganglia. A small group of neurons (less than 1%) encoded with dynorphin, NPY and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) was encountered. VIP-immunoreactive nerve terminals, projecting to the ganglion from cell bodies in the intestine, ended around NA/SOM and NA/- neurons but not around NA/NPY neurons. Thus, the VIP axons from the intestine end selectively around neurons that modify intestinal function (NA/SOM and NA/- neurons) but not around neurons, the terminals of which supply blood vessels (NA/NPY neurons).

Somatostatin localization in tissues

The development of specific antibodies to somatostatin has enabled investigations on the distribution (radioimmunoassay) and precise tissue localization (immunocytochemistry) of somatostatin-immunoreactive (IR) material. Somatostatin immunoreactivity is broadly distributed both in the central nervous system and in many peripheral organs, including the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, genitourinary system, heart, eye, thyroid, thymus, and skin. Somatostatin-IR cells display characteristic morphological features, including cytoplasmic elongations, which lend support to the postulated local or paracrine role for somatostatin. The intracytoplasmic electron-dense secretory granules in somatostatin-IR endocrine cells are characterized by their round shape, flocculent matrix, and closely apposed limiting membrane. Somatostatin-IR nerves are abundant in the gut and contain large, dense, P-type neurosecretory granules, which are distinct from those storing other peptidergic neurotransmitters. Somatostatin immunoreactivity is found frequently in neuroendocrine tumours, but the existence of the 'somatostatinoma syndrome' has recently been questioned.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and peptide YY (PYY) inhibit prostaglandin E2-induced intestinal fluid and electrolyte secretion in the rat jejunum in vivo

NPY, a recently discovered peptide consisting of 36 amino acids, is present in intrinsic intestinal nerves and in extrinsic noradrenergic nerves innervating intestinal blood vessels. We have investigated the influence of NPY and of the structurally related peptide YY (PYY) on the effect of PGE2-induced fluid and electrolyte secretion in the tied-off rat jejunum in vivo. Close intraarterial infusion of PGE2 (4.5-450 pmol X min-1) dose dependently reversed the net absorption of fluid, sodium and chloride into net secretion (P less than 0.01 for all three parameters). Additional i.a. infusion of NPY significantly inhibited the effect of PGE2 (45 pmol X min-1) on fluid transport at infusion rates of 0.4 and 4.0 pmol X min-1 (P less than 0.01). Infusion of 0.04 pmol X min-1 NPY was without effect. PGE2-induced sodium and chloride secretion were also significantly reduced by NPY at an infusion rate of 0.4 but not of 0.04 pmol X min-1. NPY alone was without any effect on fluid or electrolyte absorption in the controls. PYY, which is present in endocrine cells but not in nerves in the gut, was without effect at 0.4 pmol X min-1 and slightly but significantly reduced PGE2-induced fluid secretion at 4.0 pmol X min-1. It is concluded that NPY is a potent inhibitory factor in the neuronal control of intestinal fluid and electrolyte transport.

Neurochemically similar myenteric and submucous neurons directly traced to the mucosa of the small intestine

Antisera to neuropeptide Y (NPY) gave an intense immunohistochemical reaction of certain nerve cells in the myenteric and submucous plexuses of the guinea-pig small intestine. Each nerve cell had up to 20 branching, tapering processes that were less than approximately 50 micron long and a long process that could be followed for a considerable distance. This morphology corresponds to that of the type-III cells of Dogiel. The long process of each myenteric cell ran through the circular muscle to the submucosa, and in most cases the process could be traced to the mucosa. The submucous nerve cell bodies also had processes that extended to the mucosa. These cell bodies, in both plexuses, also stained with antisera raised against calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), cholecystokinin (CCK), choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and somatostatin (SOM), but did not stain with antibodies against enkephalin, substance P or vasoactive intestinal peptide. Thus, it has been possible for the first time to trace the processes of chemically specified neurons through the layers of the intestinal wall and to show by a direct method that CGRP/CCK/ChAT/NPY/SOM myenteric and submucous nerves cells provide terminals in the mucosa.

Choline acetyltransferase- and peptide immunoreactivity of submucous neurons in the small intestine of the guinea-pig

The peptides cholecystokinin (CCK), neuropeptide Y (NPY), somatostatin (SOM), substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and the synthesizing enzyme for acetylcholine, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) were localized immunohistochemically in nerve cell bodies of the submucous ganglia in the small intestine of the guinea-pig. VIP-like immunoreactivity was found in 45% of submucous neurons. ChAT immunoreactivity was observed in a separate group of nerve cells, which made up 54% of the total population. There were three subsets of neurons immunoreactive for ChAT: (1) ChAT neurons that also contained immunoreactivity for each of the peptides CCK, SOM and NPY, representing 29% of all submucous neurons; (2) ChAT neurons that also contained SP-like immunoreactivity, representing 11% of all submucous neurons, and (3) ChAT cells that did not contain any detectable amount of the peptides that were localized in this study.