Ultrastructural neurohistochemical evidence for a neuro-endocrine link in the regulation of the extra-hepatic biliary dynamics.
Electron microscopical neurohistochemical studies of the choledocho-duodenal junction of the cat revealed acetylcholinesterase-positve nerve terminals closely abutting on ("ectopic"), mono-amine(s)-containing alpha-cells (of the islets of Langerhans) scattered in small clusters between bundles of the sphincteric smooth muscle (of Oddi). The cell membrane of the alpha-cells at and near the site of the neuro-effector contacts was reactive, too. This finding may be considered as some evidence for cholinergic innervation of cholinoceptive neuro-endocrine cells, and obviously represents one of the neuro-endocrine links involved in the regulation of the extra-hepatic biliary dynamics, demonstrated earlier in physiological and pharmacological studies.
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001646:Bile / Q000502:physiology; D002415:Cats; D003135:Common Bile Duct / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004386:Duodenum / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009803:Sphincter of Oddi / Q000648:ultrastructure
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase