Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-immunoreactive nerve plexuses in the renal pelvis and ureter of rats.
The distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the renal pelvis and ureter was examined by immunohistochemistry using whole-mount preparations and cryostat sections. The patterns of innervation were contrasted between the pelvis and ureter; the immunoreactive nerve fibers in the pelvis ran parallel to the long axis of each of the circular and longitudinal muscle layers, causing a lattice-like appearance of the nerve fibers. In the ureter, the immunoreactive fibers were accumulated in the subepithelial region and the longitudinal muscle. In both the pelvis and ureter, a portion of the nerve fibers of smaller caliber showed a swollen or beaded structure; they were located in the musculature and beneath the epithelium extending for considerable distances. Ligation of the ureter caused a marked decrease in the immunoreactive nerves in the pelvis and the proximal portion of the ureter, suggesting that the axonal flow in the calcitonin gene-related peptide-containing neurons of the ureter runs towards the pelvis.
Tamaki
M
M
Department of Urology, Niigata University School of Medicine, Japan.
Iwanaga
T
T
Sato
S
S
Fujita
T
T
D000818:Animals; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007682:Kidney Pelvis / Q000294:innervation*; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014513:Ureter / Q000294:innervation* / Q000601:surgery
D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide