title: The cholinergic innervation of human pancreatic islets.
abstract: The cholinergic innervation of pancreatic islets was investigated in the human using operatory samples. In order to analyze the nature of stained cholinergic nerve fibers some specimens were incubated in a solution containing 6-hydroxydopamine (6-HDA) to obtain a selective degeneration of adrenergic nerves. Cholinergic nerve fibers are present in human pancreatic islets, and appear to be organized in an external peri-insular plexus. Some nerve fibers from the peri-insular plexus enter the islets and seem to innervate directly various types of endocrine insular elements. The 6-HDA treatment does not alter the distribution pattern of cholinergic nerve fibers within pancreatic islets.
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000032:analysis*; D000320:Adrenergic Fibers / Q000187:drug effects; D002799:Cholinergic Fibers / Q000166:cytology*; D006651:Histocytochemistry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D006892:Hydroxydopamines / Q000494:pharmacology; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000201:enzymology / Q000294:innervation*; D016627:Oxidopamine
chemical_list: D006892:Hydroxydopamines; D016627:Oxidopamine; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase