Ultrastructural localization of neuronal nitric oxide synthase-immunoreactivity in the rat ileum.
The location of neuronal nitric oxide synthase-immunoreactivity (NOS-IR) in whole mount preparations of muscularis externa of rat ileum was determined by using pre-embedding electron microscope immunocytochemistry. Several neurons, nerve fibers and nerve endings in the myenteric plexus (MP) and nerve endings within the muscle layers were found to be NOS-IR. These nerve endings were especially numerous in the deep muscular plexus (DMP) and much closer to interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) than to smooth muscle cells. Some of the ICC-MP were NOS-IR. These findings indicate that ICC-MP are apparently able to produce NO and ICC-DMP are the ileal ICC type very richly innervated by the NO releasing nerves.
Matini
P
P
Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Italy.
Faussone-Pellegrini
M S
MS
D000818:Animals; D007082:Ileum / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000294:innervation* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D009569:Nitric Oxide