title: Human Lymphatic Mesenteric Vessels: Morphology and Possible Function of Aminergic and NPY-ergic Nerve Fibers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The lymphatic vessels have been studied in different organs from a morphological to a clinical point of view. Nevertheless, the knowledge of the catecholaminergic control of the lymphatic circulation is still incomplete. The aim of this work is to study the presence and distribution of the catecholaminergic and NPY-ergic nerve fibers in the whole wall of the human mesenteric lymphatic vessels in order to obtain knowledge about their morphology and functional significance.
  
  
  METHODS
  The following experimental procedures were performed: 1) drawing of tissue containing lymphatic vessels; 2) cutting of tissue; 3) staining of tissue; 4) staining of nerve fibers; 5) histofluorescence microscopy for the staining of catecholaminergic nerve fibers; 6) staining of neuropeptide Y like-immune reactivity; 7) biochemical assay of proteins; 8) measurement of noradrenaline; 9) quantitative analysis of images; 10) statistical analysis of data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Numerous nerve fibers run in the wall of lymphatic vessels. Many of them are catecholaminergic in nature. Some nerve fibers are NPY-positive. The biochemical results on noradrenaline amounts are in agreement with morphological results on catecholaminergic nerve fibers. Moreover, the morphometric results, obtained by the quantitative analysis of images and the subsequent statistical analysis of data, confirm all our morphological and biochemical data.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The knowledge of the physiological or pathological mechanism regulating the functions of the lymphatic system is incomplete. Nevertheless the catecholaminergic nerve fibers of the human mesenteric lymphatic vessels come from the adrenergic periarterial plexuses of the mesenterial arterial bed. NPY-ergic nerve fibers may modulate the microcirculatory mesenterial bed in different pathological conditions.
authors: 1 Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome , Rome, Italy .
authors: Vito
authors: V
authors: D'Andrea
authors: 1 Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome , Rome, Italy .
authors: Alessandra
authors: A
authors: Panarese
authors: 2 Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome , Rome, Italy .
authors: Samanta
authors: S
authors: Taurone
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Coppola
authors: 4 Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Locomotor System Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome , Rome, Italy .
authors: Carlo
authors: C
authors: Cavallotti
authors: 2 Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome , Rome, Italy .
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Artico
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000294:innervation*; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000378:metabolism*; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000378:metabolism*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism*; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation
chemical_list: D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D009638:Norepinephrine