title: Nitric oxide synthase-containing, peptide-containing, and acetylcholinesterase-positive nerves in the cat lower oesophagus.
abstract: The innervation of the cat lower oesophagus, including the lower oesophageal sphincter, was studied by enzyme histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and confocal microscopy. In the lower oesophageal sphincter, and at a level 2 cm above it, no apparent differences were seen in the nerve distribution pattern. Among the nerve populations studied, acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-positive nerves were the most abundant in both these regions. The density of AChE-positive nerves was particularly marked in the circular muscle layer. A rich supply of nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-containing nerves was identified by using an antiserum against neuronal NOS, or by enzyme histochemical staining for NADPH diaphorase activity. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-immunoreactive nerves had a similar distribution pattern as NOS-immunoreactive nerves, and nerves displaying immunoreactivity for NOS and VIP often showed profiles coinciding with AChE-positive nerves. As judged by confocal microscopy, immunoreactivities for helospectin, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) and VIP, to a large extent were found in the same nerves. At a level 7 cm above the lower oesophageal sphincter, the total nerve supply was less than in the sphincter itself and 2 cm above it. Immunoreactivity towards VIP, PACAP and helospectin was also found to co-exist with NOS and neuropeptide Y within the same nerve structures. It is concluded that there is an intricate innervation pattern in the feline lower oesophagus reflecting the complexity in the regulation of its motility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Lund, Lund University Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ny
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Alm
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ekström
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hannibal
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Larsson
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Andersson
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000032:analysis*; D000320:Adrenergic Fibers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology; D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D002799:Cholinergic Fibers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000294:innervation; D004947:Esophagus / Q000294:innervation*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009417:Nerve Tissue / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000276:immunology; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000032:analysis; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000032:analysis; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000032:analysis; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D009479:Neuropeptides; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D010455:Peptides; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; C091796:helospectin; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase