L-arginine immunoreactive enteric glial cells in the enteric nervous system of rat ileum.
L-arginine is a precursor of nitric oxide (NO) that may be involved in neuronal activity in the gastrointestinal tract. It is known that NO is formed from L-arginine by NO synthase which is localized in neurons in the enteric nervous system. The present study demonstrated that significant L-arginine immunoreactivity was present in the enteric ganglia. Ultrastructural examination showed that L-arginine immunoreactivity was present in the ganglionic glial cells but not in neurons. These findings suggest that enteric glial cells may represent the main reservoir of L-arginine, which may possibly be transferred to neurons when used.
Nagahama
M
M
Department of Anatomy II, Mie University School of Medicine, Tsu, Japan. nagahama@doc.medic.mie-u.ac.jp
Semba
R
R
Tsuzuki
M
M
Aoki
E
E
D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000032:analysis*; D017615:Enteric Nervous System / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology*; D005725:Ganglia, Autonomic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology*; D007082:Ileum / Q000294:innervation*; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000737:chemistry*; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D009569:Nitric Oxide; D001120:Arginine