Gut hormones in Salamandra salamandra. An immunocytochemical and electron microscopic investigation

Does motilin peptide regulate gastrointestinal motility of zebrafish? An in vitro study using isolated intestinal strips

Motilin (MOT), a 22-amino-acid peptide hormone produced in the duodenal mucosa, stimulates gastrointestinal motility in mammals and birds, and it is a mediator of interdigestive motor complexes. Recently, expression of MOT-like peptide (MOTLP) and its receptor mRNAs was identified in zebrafish. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the zebrafish MOTLP (zfMOTLP, HIAFFSPKEMRELREKE) affects zebrafish gastrointestinal motility, with comparison to the effect of human MOT, in which five amino acids are identical to zfMOTLP at positions 5, 9, 15, 16, and 17. zfMOTLP caused small contractions of the rabbit duodenum and chicken ileum but, the sensitivity was about 3000-times lower than that of human MOT. zfMOTLP-induced contraction in the rabbit duodenum was decreased by pretreatment of the MOT receptor antagonist GM109, indicating that zfMOTLP could bind to the MOT receptor. zfMOTLP (3-100nM) increased the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration in zfMOT receptor-expressing HEK293 cells, but human MOT did not cause responses even at 100nM. In in vitro study using isolated zebrafish gastrointestinal strips, zfMOTLP caused only small contractions even at high doses (1-10μM). zfMOT receptor mRNA is detected in the gastrointestinal tract and brain to almost the same extent, and the expression level (40-70 copies/100ng total RNA) is much lower than that in the chicken gastrointestinal tract. These results suggest that the MOTLP/MOT receptor system is present in zebrafish, but its physiological role for regulation of gastrointestinal motility might be not significant due to the weak contractile activity and low expression level of the receptor.

Autonomic control of gut motility: a comparative view

Gut motility is regulated to optimize food transport and processing. The autonomic innervation of the gut generally includes extrinsic cranial and spinal autonomic nerves. It also comprises the nerves contained entirely within the gut wall, i.e. the enteric nervous system. The extrinsic and enteric nervous control follows a similar pattern throughout the vertebrate groups. However, differences are common and may occur between groups and families as well as between closely related species. In this review, we give an overview of the distribution and effects of common neurotransmitters in the vertebrate gut. While the focus is on birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish, mammalian data are included to form the background for comparisons. While some transmitters, like acetylcholine and nitric oxide, show similar distribution patterns and effects in most species investigated, the role of others is more varying. The significance for these differences is not yet fully understood, emphasizing the need for continued comparative studies of autonomic control.

Somatostatin-immunoreactive cell in the gastrointestinal tract of the frog Rana esculenta

The morphology and topographic distribution of somatostatin-immunoreactive cells in the stomach and small intestine of the frog Rana esculenta were studied at the light-microscopic level by the use of the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method. Scattered immunostained cells occurred in all regions of the gastrointestinal tract investigated. In the small intestine, the number of these cells decreased gradually in the oral to anal direction, i.e. from the pyloric (antral) stomach to the entrance into the colon. Most of the immunostained cells possessed thick, short cytoplasmic processes, which did not display a preferential spatial orientation. Other somatostatin-immunoreactive cells, which were exclusively located in the small intestine, gave rise to a single long extension oriented toward the lumen. In both stomach and small intestine, a complete penetration of the epithelial surface by these processes of somatostatin-immunoreactive cells was observed only occasionally. The morphological features of the somatostatin-immunostained cells speak in favor of endocrine, paracrine, and possibly also intraluminal secretory functions of the enteroendocrine somatostatin system in frogs.

Immunohistochemical localization of chromogranin A and B in the endocrine cells of the alimentary tract of the green frog, Rana esculenta

Novel monoclonal antibodies to human chromogranin A (CgA) and chromogranin B (CgB) were used to investigate the presence of immunoreactive (-IR) elements in the alimentary tract of the green frog Rana esculenta. Numerous CgA-IR and a few CgB-IR endocrine cells were found within the gut mucosa, from the oesophagus to the cloaca, with some local differences in density. Co-localization studies demonstrated that they were co-stored in almost all the serotonin-IR, the amylin-IR or islet amyloid polypeptide-IR cells and in the peptide tyrosine tyrosine-IR cells located proximal to the pylorus, but not in those located in more caudal tracts. No other co-localization was demonstrated; substances investigated included somatostatin, substance P, gastrin/cholecystokinin, glucagon, glycentin, bombesin, secretin and neurotensin. CgA-IR and CgB-IR cells nearly always displayed argyrophilia with the Grimelius silver method.

Immunocytochemical and ultrastructural characterization of endocrine cells and nerves in the intestine of Rana temporaria

Endocrine cells have been identified in the intestine of the frog Rana temporaria after application of the Grimelius and Masson-Fontana techniques. These endocrine cells were examined using immunocytochemical techniques on paraffin and semithin sections for light microscopy. After testing 19 antisera, 12 immunoreactivities were identified. Numerous serotonin-, somatostatin- and GLP-1-immunoreactive cells; a moderate number of PYY-, glucagon-, VIP-, gastrin/CCK-immunoreactive cells and few human PP-, bombesin-, substance P- and neurotensin-immunoreactive cells were found. VIP- and met-enkephalin were identified in nerve fibers of the muscular layer. Using semithin-thin sections five types of endocrine cells (serotonin-, somatostatin-, gastrin/CCK-, glucagon- and bombesin-immunoreactive cells) have been characterized according to their immunocytochemical reaction and the ultrastructure of the secretory granules.

Neurotensin, substance P, gastrin/cholecystokinin, and bombesin in the intestine of the tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) and the goldfish (Carassius auratus): immunochemical detection and effects on electrophysiological characteristics

The distribution of neurotensin-, substance P-, gastrin/cholecystokinin/carerulein- and bombesin-like immunoreactivities has been studied in the gut of the tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) and the goldfish (Carassius auratus) using immunohistochemistry and radioimmunoassay; the electrophysiological effects of these peptides on the intestinal epithelium were also examined with the Ussing-type chamber technique. Neurotensin- and gastrin/cholecystokinin/caerulein-like immunoreactivities were present in endocrine cells in both species. Substance P- and bombesin-like immunoreactive endocrine cells were present in the intestine of the tilapia. Neurotensin-like immunoreactivity was observed in varicose fibers and nerve cell bodies in the muscle layers and myenteric plexus of both species, whereas nerve fibers showing substance P-like immunoreactivity were found in the goldfish only. Using radioimmunoassays, neurotensin- and gastrin/cholecystokinin/caerulein-like immunoreactive materials were detected in intestinal extracts of both species. The amounts of substance P- and bombesin-like material were below detection level. The ion selectivity of the intestinal epithelium of both species was modulated by exogenously applied neurotensin. This effect was blocked by tetrodotoxin in the tilapia but not in the goldfish. In the tilapia, neurotensin may act via stimulation of a cAMP-dependent increase of the Cl- conductance of the tight junctions, whereas in the goldfish, neurotensin induced, via an unknown messenger, a transient decrease of the cation selectivity without a decrease in the resistance. Substance P, cholecystokinin, and bombesin were without effect on the electrophysiological characteristics of the epithelium.

Morphological features of the myenteric plexus of the stomach of the axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum, revealed by immunocytochemistry

The general morphology of the intramural innervation of the myenteric plexus of the axolotl stomach has been investigated using antisera raised against neuron-specific enolase and a microtubule-associated protein. Additionally, the occurrence of serotonin and several peptidergic neurotransmitter/neuromodulator substances was studied. Immunoreactivity for galanin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, substance P and neuromedin U was found in both fibres and intrinsic perikarya, whereas the serotonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide-like-substance-containing nerve fibres seemed to be of extrinsic origin. The axolotl stomach myenteric plexus appeared to be devoid of enkephalin-, neuropeptide Y-, somatostatin- and bombesin-like immunoreactive nerve fibres and nerve cell bodies. Double labelling experiments revealed the presence of a subpopulation of substance P/calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactive nerve fibres. Contrary to mammals, no coexistence of neuromedin U and substance P was found. Our findings illustrate that besides a number of similarities, considerable species differences exist between urodeles and anurans with regard to the organization of the enteric nervous system.

The innervation of the gastrointestinal tract of a chelonian reptile, Pseudemys scripta elegans. II. Distribution of neuropeptides in the myenteric plexus

The myenteric plexus of the stomach, midgut and hindgut of the red-eared turtle, Pseudemys scripta elegans, has been investigated for the occurrence of immunoreactivity to nine neuropeptides. Neuropeptide Y (NPY)-, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-, bombesin (BOM)- as well as substance P (SP)-like immunoreactivity (LI) were found in nerve fibres of all investigated gut regions. From all peptides investigated immunoreactivity for NPY was more pronounced. In the stomach NPY-LI was mainly found in the perikarya, while in the midgut region both NPY-immunoreactive (IR) somata and nerve fibres were revealed. The hindgut harboured few NPY-IR nerve cells and nerve fibres. A few SP-IR nerve cell bodies were observed in the stomach and midgut region. In the hindgut BOM-IR neuronal cell bodies were found. Neuromedin U (NMU)-LI was mainly observed in the stomach region, revealing both immunoreactive perikarya and nerve fibres. Immunoreactivity for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, somatostatin, galanin and enkephalin could not be detected so far. Double labelling experiments revealed the coexistence of CGRP and SP in some nerve fibres in all three gut regions examined. Some SP-IR fibres in the midgut were immunoreactive for NMU.

Electron-cytochemical localization of alkaline phosphatase to G cells of Necturus maculosus antrum

Electron-cytochemical localization of alkaline phosphatase activity was performed on G cells of Necturus maculosus antral mucosa. Alkaline phosphatase activity was localized to the nuclear membrane, the Golgi/endoplasmic reticulum, and the limiting membranes of G cell peptide-secretion vesicles. There was no specific localization of alkaline phosphatase activity to the plasma membrane. Treatment of the tissues with levamisole (an alkaline phosphatase inhibitor) did not markedly reduce the specific alkaline phosphatase activity. Specific lead deposition was reduced by removal of the substrate from the reaction mixture. The results from this study on N. maculosus G cells demonstrate that alkaline phosphatase activity can be found in a non-mammalian gastric endocrine cell and that specific activity was localized primarily to those intracellular structures involved with protein biosynthesis.

Comparative immunohistochemical study of the gastroenteropancreatic endocrine system of three reptiles

The gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) endocrine system of three reptiles, Testudo graeca, Mauremys caspica, and Lacerta lepida, was investigated by means of immunocytochemistry. Single and double immunostaining methods have demonstrated immunoreactivity for insulin, glucagon, pancreatic polypeptide (PP), somatostatin, serotonin, and peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY) in endocrine cells of the pancreas of the reptiles studied. Islet-like structures with insulin-immunoreactive (IR) cells surrounded by glucagon-IR cells were observed only in the splenic portion of the pancreas of M. caspica. Occasionally, somatostatin- and PP-IR cells were associated with glucagon-containing cells. Endocrine cells were also observed in the excretory ducts of the exocrine glands. Serotonin, bombesin, neurotensin, gastrin, glucagon, somatostatin, PYY, and insulin were demonstrated immunocytochemically in open-type GEP cells of the digestive tract of the animals studied. Serotonin, somatostatin, and glucagon-immunoreactive cells were the most abundant endocrine cell types. In L. lepida, PP- and peptide tyrosine tyrosine-immunoreactive cells were also frequently observed. Cells containing cholecystokinin, gastric inhibitory peptide, met- and leu-enkephalin, motilin, secretin, and vasoactive intestinal peptide could not be detected. The present work demonstrates that the reptilian GEP endocrine system is a complex structure containing most of the regulatory peptides similar in structure to those found in higher vertebrates.

Immunocytochemical evidence for the colocalization of neurotensin/xenopsin- and gastrin/caerulein-immunoreactive substances in Xenopus laevis gastrointestinal tract

Distribution and association of neurotensin (NT)- and xenopsin (XP)-like peptides were investigated using immunocytochemical techniques in the amphibian gut. Antisera against both groups of peptides showed an identical distribution pattern of NT- and XP-positive cells in Xenopus laevis gastrointestinal tract. Immunolabeling of consecutive semithin sections revealed the coexistence of NT- and XP-like substances within cells of the stomach and small intestine. Recent reports of the colocalization of XP-like material with gastrin in mammalian G cells led us to study the association of NT/XP-like peptides with members of the gastrin/cholecystokinin (CCK)/caerulein (G/C) family in amphibians. The data obtained from immunolabeling serial sections with NT/XP-specific and G/C-specific antisera show that in some intestine NT/XP- and G/C-like peptides do exist in the same cells. In the stomach, however, G/C-like material is confined to endocrine cells of the antral region, while NT/XP-like substances occur in distinct cells accumulating in cardial glands but absent in the pyloric glands. Our findings thus indicate that in amphibian gastrointestinal tract there is some association between the regulatory peptide families NT/XP and G/C, similar to mammals. The regional distribution of both hormone families, however, is different from that in mammals.

Cholecystokinin immunoreactivity in the digestive tract of bowfin (Amia calva), bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), and bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)

The distribution of the intestinal hormone, cholecystokinin (CCK), was studied in the gastrointestinal tract of a holostean fish, the bowfin (Amia calva), and compared to a teleostean fish, the bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), and an amphibian, the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), using an antiserum specific for the carboxyl terminal tetrapeptide of CCK in an unlabeled biotin-avidin immunoperoxidase procedure. In the bowfin CCK immunostained cells were detected only in the anterior and mid-intestine; the stomach and the rest of the gastrointestinal tract were negative. Immunoreactive cells were open in appearance and were scattered along the intestinal mucosal epithelium, with cells in mid-intestine relatively more abundant than in anterior intestine. These relative distributions were confirmed by radioimmunoassay of tissue extracts. Additional immunostained cells of uncertain function were detected in the lamina propria of the intestine. In bluegill gut immunoreactive cells were observed in the anterior and mid-intestine and in the pyloric caeca, where cells were clustered near the intestinal opening. Immunoreactive cells occurred relatively uniformly along the anterior and mid-intestine. Bullfrog CCK-containing cells were detected both in the antral stomach and in the duodenum. CCK in gut tissues likely originated in the intestine. The redistribution of CCK cells toward the anterior part of the intestine during evolution coincides with the development of a compact pancreas in higher classes of vertebrates. Such a redistribution constitutes an adaptive placement of endocrine cells for signaling during the intestinal phase of digestion.

Investigations of endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas during the metamorphosis of an anuran (Alytes obstetricans L.): histochemical detection of APUD cells

Endocrine cells were detected at premetamorphosis, prometamorphosis, climax, and juvenile stages using an amine-inducing fluorescence technique with or without previous L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) treatment. At premetamorphosis, serotonin cells exhibited yellow fluorescence in the gut primary epithelium of the L-DOPA untreated animals. In the treated animals, green fluorescent APUD cells could be seen in addition to the serotonin cells. In the pancreas, numerous clusters of fluorescent APUD cells were observed. At prometamorphosis the number of fluorescent cells increased in the intestinal primary epithelium and, close to the basal membrane, numerous small regenerative buds devoid of fluorescent cells appeared. In the pancreas of L-DOPA-treated animals, two types of APUD cells could be distinguished by their different fluorescence intensities. At the climax stage, the stomach developed and APUD cells were detectable in the gastric glandular buds. The degenerated primary intestinal epithelium was progressively removed in the intestinal lumen. At this stage, the regenerative buds of the secondary epithelium exhibited APUD cells. In the disorganized pancreas, the induced fluorescence decreased strongly. At the juvenile stage, cords of APUD cells displayed a cytoplasmic green fluorescence in the pancreas. In the stomach and intestine, serotonin and APUD cells were numerous.

Localization of G cells in the antral mucosa of Rana temporaria: immunocytochemical and electron microscopy study

G cells of the frog antral mucosa are described both in deplasticized semithin sections treated with antigastrin/CCK COOH terminal serum and in subsequent thin sections observed under the electron microscope. G cells are quite abundant in the antral mucosa, located between mucosecretory cells in the lateral aspects of glands. They bear irregular, occasionally round granules, with a 190-nm mean diameter.

The autonomic innervation of Rana ridibunda intestine

1. The innervation of Rana ridibunda intestine has been studied by the following methods: (a) demonstration of cholinesterase activity; (b) FIF method for catecholamines; (c) immunohistochemistry for VIP, SP and SOM, and (d) conventional electron microscopy. 2. The intrinsic intestinal innervation is represented by cholinergic-, VIPergic-, SP- and SOM-like plexuses. The intestinal adrenergic component is of extrinsic origin. 3. The intestinal peptidergic innervation is the most developed, the large intestine being the portion where the studied peptidergic plexuses are more widely distributed. 4. Against a poorly developed cholinergic/adrenergic innervation, it seems that there is a predominant peptidergic innervation in the amphibians intestine wall. 5. Taking into account that amphibians sacral parasympathetic as well as sympathetic innervation development are limited, it could be considered that in vertebrates the intestinal peptidergic innervation is phylogenetically earlier and hence better developed.

The enteric nervous system of Rana ridibunda stomach

The innervation of Rana ridibunda stomach has been studied by the following methods: demonstration of cholinesterase activity; FIF method for catecholamines; immunohistochemistry for VIP; SP and SOM and conventional electron microscopy. The cholinergic innervation is important in the stomach wall where in addition to the intrinsic plexuses there is an extrinsic contribution coming with the vagus nerve. The density of the fibres decreases towards the pyloric sphincter. The adrenergic innervation seems to be almost entirely of extrinsic origin. Fine networks have been localized at the myenteric and submucosal plexuses. The fibres density increases at the pylorus. At the myenteric plexus, apart from the cholinergic neurons, we have found VIP and SOM like cells. The VIP like plexus is very well developed. A SOM like plexus is also present but with scarce fibres in comparison with the VIPergic one. The submucosal plexus is exclusively made by nervous fibres of the types described for the myenteric one. We have got positive immunoreactivity for SP only on the fibres. They are scarce in the stomach wall, only at the pyloric region their density increases. We describe the ultrastructural morphological characteristics of the enteric neurons as well as the fine inter-relationships between the nervous elements and the functional components of the stomach wall.

Neurotransmitters in the intestine of the Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua

The effects of the putative neurotransmitters acetylcholine, adrenaline, adenosine, ATP, bombesin, 5-hydroxytryptamine, met-enkephalin, neurotensin, somatostatin, substance P and VIP have been investigated in the perfused intestine of the cod, Gadus morhua. The presence and distribution of the different types of nerves was investigated with immunohistochemistry and Falck-Hillarp fluorescence histochemistry. A spontaneous rhythmic activity of the perfused preparations usually occurred within a few minutes from the start of the experiment. This activity was diminished or abolished by addition of atropine, methysergide or tetrodotoxin to the perfusion fluid. Acetylcholine, 5-hydroxytryptamine or substance P caused a contraction of the intestinal wall. The response to acetylcholine was blocked by atropine but not by tetrodotoxin, while the response to 5-hydroxytryptamine was blocked by methysergide and usually also by tetrodotoxin. This indicates that the effect of acetylcholine is direct on the muscle cells, while the effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine may be at least partly via a second neuron. All adrenergic agonists (adrenaline, isoprenaline and phenylephrine) had a dominating inhibitory effect on the intestine. Experiments with antagonists showed that the inhibition is due to stimulation of both alpha-adrenoceptors and beta-adrenoceptors. ATP, adenosine and somatostatin also caused a relaxation of the intestinal wall, often followed by a contraction. Met-enkephalin produced variable responses, either a relaxation, a contraction or both. Bombesin caused a weak inhibition, if anything. Neurotensin and VIP did not visibly affect the intestinal motility. 5-HT-, substance P- and VIP-like immunoreactivity and catecholamine fluorescence were observed in the myenteric plexus, submucosa and muscle layers in all parts of the intestine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Light microscopic immunocytochemical demonstration of peroxisomal enzymes in epon sections

A procedure is described for light microscopic immunocytochemical localization of catalase and three enzymes of peroxisomal lipid beta-oxidation: acyl-CoA oxidase, enoyl-CoA hydratase and 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase in semi-thin sections of rat liver processed for routine electron microscopy. Satisfactory immunostaining required the removal of the epoxy resin with sodium ethoxide, controlled digestion of deplasticized sections with proteases and, in case of osmiumfixed tissue, bleaching with oxidants. Resin removal was essential for successful immunostaining, and protease treatment enhanced markedly the intensity of the reaction. This study shows that tissues processed for conventional ultrastructural studies can be used for postembedding immunocytochemical demonstration of various peroxisomal enzymes.

Regulatory peptides in the gastrointestinal tract of Alligator mississipiensis. An immunocytochemical study

The gastrointestinal tract of the alligator Alligator mississipiensis has been investigated for the presence of immunoreactivity to fourteen regulatory peptides all known to occur in the mammalian gut system. Mucosal endocrine cells reacting specifically with the antisera to neurotensin, C-terminal gastrin, somatostatin, bombesin, secretin, pancreatic glucagon and enteroglucagon were detectable, the distribution of these cells being, in general, similar to the mammalian pattern. Peripheral nerve cell bodies and nerve fibres were detected with the antisera to vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, substance P, bombesin and somatostatin again with a distribution similar to that seen in mammals. No immunoreactivity was observed with the available antisera to glicentin, motilin, gastric inhibitory polypeptide, gastrin 34, cholecystokinin 9-20 and met-enkephalin.

Silver methods applied to semithin sections to identify peptide-producing endocrine cells

Silver methods were successfully applied to semithin sections of Epon-embedded material, in bronchial epithelium of the chicken lung, as well as in stomach and gut of the frog. Silver methods with some modifications characterize very well the cytoplasmic argyrophilic and argentaffin granules. They given good results in plastic-embedded material.

Bombesin-like immunoreactivity in the nervous system of hydra

With immunocytochemical methods, nerve cells have been detected in Hydra attenuata containing bombesin-like immunoreactivity. These nerve cells are located in ectoderm of all body regions of the animal and are especially abundant in basal disk and tentacles. Radioimmunoassay of extracts of hydra demonstrated at least 0.2 pmol/g wet weight of bombesin-like immunoreactivity. The immunoreactive material elutes from Sephadex G-50 in a similar position to synthetic bombesin. The data show that bombesin-like peptides are among the phylogenetically oldest neuropeptides found so far.