title: A developmental study of the localization of NADPH-diaphorase in the ganglionated plexus of the guinea-pig gallbladder.
abstract: A histochemical investigation of age-related changes that occur with respect to the localization of NADPH-diaphorase in the ganglionated plexus of the guinea-pig gallbladder was carried out. In all age groups examined (embryonic stages day 34 and 52, 2 to 4-day old, 6-month old and 2-year old), the mean percentage of NADPH-diaphorase-positive neurons per ganglion was obtained by taking the number of neurons that were immunoreactive to protein gene product 9.5 (a general neuronal marker) as 100%. In addition, the possible co-existence of NADPH-diaphorase and nitric oxide synthase in the ganglionated plexus of 2 to 4-day old and 6-month old guinea-pig gallbladder was investigated. NADPH-diaphorase was not present in the ganglionated plexus of the gallbladder at embryonic day 34. At embryonic day 52, all the protein gene product 9.5-immunoreactive neurons showed positive staining to NADPH-diaphorase; this dropped to a minimum at 2-4 days (26.7%), rose slightly at 6 months (33.6%), and finally returned close to the 100% value at 2 years. In the gallbladders of 2-year old guinea-pigs, some (3 out of 10) ganglia were devoid of protein gene product 9.5-immunoreactive neurons, but NADPH-diaphorase-stained granules were found within the ganglia. However, all those neurons that were immunopositive to protein gene product 9.5 also expressed NADPH-diaphorase. Moreover, NADPH-diaphorase-positive neurons in the gallbladder of 2 to 4-day-old and 6-month-old guinea-pigs were found to express nitric oxide synthase.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, University College London, UK.
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Siou
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Belai
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Burnstock
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000294:innervation*; D005724:Ganglia / Q000201:enzymology*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase