title: Nerve terminals containing neuropeptides decrease in number after massive proximal small bowel resection in the piglet.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate possible changes in the neuropeptide innervation pattern of the remaining porcine ileum following 75% proximal resection of the small intestine. Three-month-old piglets were operated on and two months postoperatively full-thickness specimens of the proximal part of the distal ileum wall were taken. Age-matched 3- and 5-month-old unoperated piglets were used as controls. The number and intensity of VIP-, galanin-, enkephalin-, substance P-, and somatostatin-containing nerve fibers were estimated in sections processed for immunofluorescence microscopy and subjected to quantitative scoring. The VIP-, galanin-, and enkephalin-immunoreactive fibers of the circular muscle layer and villi were also quantitated by computer-assisted morphometry. The number and intensity of VIP-immunoreactive fibers in the mucosa and circular muscle layer markedly decreased after resection as compared to 3-month-old and 5-month-old controls (P < 0.05). The galanin immunoreactivity index decreased significantly after resection in the circular muscle layer as compared to both control groups (P < 0.05). The increase in the number of enkephalin-immunoreactive nerve fibers that normally occurred from 3 to 5 months of age was inhibited by the resection. We were not able to see any differences in somatostatin or substance P immunoreactivity between the groups. The results suggest that massive resection induces significant changes in the neuropeptide-containing innervation of the remaining small intestine. These findings are compatible with altered motor activity and mucosa function in the remain intestine.
authors.affiliation: II Department of Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vento
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kiviluoto
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pakarinen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lauronen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Halttunen
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kivilaakso
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Soinila
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D004745:Enkephalins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D019004:Galanin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007082:Ileum / Q000294:innervation* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009412:Nerve Fibers; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013373:Substance P / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013552:Swine; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D004745:Enkephalins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D013373:Substance P; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D013004:Somatostatin; D019004:Galanin