Comparison of three methods to assess enteric neuronal apoptosis in patients with slow transit constipation.
BACKGROUND
The pathophysiological basis of slow transit constipation are scarcely understood. Some recent evidence suggests that increased apoptotic phenomena in the colonic enteric neurons may play a role. However, the best method to assess these phenomena has not been evaluated.


OBJECTIVE
To compare three different methods to detect enteric neuronal apoptosis in these patients.


METHODS
Serial colonic tissue sections obtained in 10 patients with intractable slow transit constipation were evaluated with immunohistochemical methods aimed at evaluating apoptotic phenomena: the formamide-MAb method, the TUNEL, and the caspase-3.


RESULTS
The highest yield of apoptotic neurons was obtained by means of the formamide-MAb method, compared to the other two, whereas the lowest yield was observed with the caspase-3.


CONCLUSIONS
The formamide-MAb method, which is able to distinguish apoptosis from necrosis and is not influenced by DNA breaks, may prove useful to assess neuronal apoptotic phenomena in the human enteric nervous system. This represents a relevant method to detect enteric neuronal apoptosis.
Bassotti
Gabrio
G
Gastroenterology and Hepatology Section, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy. gabassot@tin.it
Villanacci
Vincenzo
V
Fisogni
Simona
S
Cadei
Moris
M
Galletti
Anna
A
Morelli
Antonio
A
Salerni
Bruno
B
D017209:Apoptosis; D003106:Colon / Q000473:pathology; D003248:Constipation / Q000473:pathology*; D003584:Cytological Techniques; D005260:Female; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009197:Myenteric Plexus / Q000473:pathology*; D013368:Submucous Plexus / Q000473:pathology*