title: Enteric neuroglial apoptosis in inflammatory bowel diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Enteric nervous system abnormalities have been described in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. However, the mechanisms responsible for these abnormalities remain to date largely unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the potential role of apoptotic phenomena in enteric neurons and enteroglial cells in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Full-thickness surgical specimens of 19 patients undergoing surgery for medically refractory disease (9 from the ileum of patients with Crohn's disease, 10 from the colon of patients with ulcerative colitis) were assessed for the presence of enteric neurons and enteroglial cells and for their apoptosis by two immunohistochemical methods, one also able to distinguish apoptosis from necrosis. The results were compared with those obtained in control specimens.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Concerning Crohn's disease, the ileal segments displayed a significant increase of apoptotic enteric neurons and enteroglial cells in both the submucous and the myenteric plexus compared to controls. In patients with ulcerative colitis, compared to controls, apoptotic phenomena were significantly reduced in enteric neurons, whereas they were increased in the enteroglial cell population (submucous and myenteric plexus).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with inflammatory bowel disease apoptotic phenomena involve both enteric neurons and enteroglial cells, and may play a role in the abnormalities of the enteric nervous system. The importance of these findings in the pathophysiology of these conditions remains to be determined.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology and Hepatology Section, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Gabrio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bassotti
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Villanacci
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nascimbeni
authors.forename: Moris
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cadei
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fisogni
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Antonelli
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Corazzi
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Salerni