Nitric oxide synthase distribution in the enteric nervous system of children with cardiac achalasia.
OBJECTIVE
To study the distribution of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the enteric nervous system of children with cardiac achalasia.


METHODS
Biopsy specimens of the lower esophagus, cardia, gastric fundus and pylorus from 13 patients with cardiac achalasia and 6 controls were obtained and studied histochemically with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d) and immunohistochemically with a specific polyclonal antiserum.


RESULTS
NOS was abundant in the myenteric plexus and the nerve fibers of musculatures in the esophagus, cardia and gastric fundus in control group, while it was nearly absent in the patient group. The distribution of NOS in the pylorus was similar in the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that a lack of NOS in the lower esophagus, cardia and gastric fundus is involved in the pathophysiology of cardiac achalasia in children.
Lui
H
H
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Xi'an Children's Hospital, China.
Vanderwinden
J M
JM
Ji
P
P
De Laet
M H
MH
D000293:Adolescent; D002447:Celiac Plexus / Q000201:enzymology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000201:enzymology*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000294:innervation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009249:NADP / Q000378:metabolism; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D013270:Stomach / Q000294:innervation*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D009249:NADP; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase