title: [NADH-diaphorase positive neurons of the jejunum of disnurtured adult rats (Rattus norvegicus): quantitative aspects].
abstract: We aim at contributing with information on the quantitative aspects of the NADH-diaphorase positive myenteric neurons of the jejunum of adult rats subjected to protein desnutrition. Ten rats aging 90 days were divided into two groups: control (n=5,  278 g) and disnurtured (n=5,  280 g). In the following 120 days, the rats from the control group had chow with 22% protein level, and those from the disnurtured group, with 8% protein level. After this period, the control rats weighted  394.4g and the disnurtured  273.5g. The jejunum was subjected to the histochemical technique of the NADH-diaphorase to stain nerve cells in whole-mounts. The neurons found in 80 microscopic fields of both groups were counted. In the control  674.6 neurons were observed, and  1326.8 neurons were counted in the disnurtured group. The low-protein diet did not alter the organization of the neurons, but led to a smaller body growth in the disnurtured animals, preventing neuronal dispersal and leading to a greater density per mm .
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007583:Jejunum / Q000201:enzymology / Q000294:innervation*; D009197:Myenteric Plexus / Q000201:enzymology*; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009474:Neurons / Q000201:enzymology*; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000201:enzymology*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D009252:NADPH Dehydrogenase