Localization of substance P- and enkephalin-like immunoreactivity in the human paravertebral sympathetic ganglia.
The presence of substance P- and enkephalin-like immunoreactive nerve fibers and terminals is demonstrated in the human paravertebral sympathetic ganglia by an indirect immunofluorescence technique. Substance P-positive nerve structures appear in the form of fiber bundles, isolated varicose filaments and dot-like and basket-like nerve terminals around the neuronal cell bodies. Their density shows a remarkable individual variability. Enkephalin-positive nerve structures appear as isolated varicose filaments and dot-like nerve terminals, forming densely innervated patchy areas. No substance P- or enkephalin-containing cell bodies were detected. No overlapping seems to exist among the areas innervated by the two types of neuropeptides.
Del Fiacco
M
M
Levanti
M C
MC
Contini
M
M
Montisci
R
R
Savona
G
G
Brotzu
G
G
D000368:Aged; D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions; D004745:Enkephalins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000032:analysis; D013373:Substance P / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology
D004745:Enkephalins; D013373:Substance P