Effect of chemical ablation of myenteric neurones on intestinal cell proliferation

The duodenum or descending colon of male Wistar rats (average weight 60 g) was treated by a serosal application of a 0.2% solution of benzalkonium chloride (BAC) for 30 min. Control animals were treated with 0.9% (physiological) saline. The rats were allocated to four groups: Group DC (N = 8) in which the duodenum was treated with physiological saline; Group DB (N = 8) in which the duodenum was treated with BAC; Group CC (N = 7) in which the descending colon was treated with physiological saline and Group CB (N = 7) in which the descending colon was treated with BAC. After treatment, the animals were followed up for 5 months. At the end of the experiment, the animals were injected intraperitoneally with vincristine sulphate before sacrifice. Three segments were removed from the duodenum and descending colon for neuronal counting, catecholamine and serotonin measurements and morphokinetic studies of the epithelium. The following results were obtained: (1) there was a significant reduction in neurone number in the myenteric plexus of segments treated with BAC; (2) in the denervated intestinal segments, catecholamine levels were unchanged whereas serotonin levels were increased; (3) epithelial hyperplasia was observed in the denervated duodenum and descending colon; and (4) crypt cell production rate in the duodenum was similar in groups DC and DB but was significantly increased in the descending colon in group CB as compared with controls (CC). The present findings indicate that selective myenteric neuronal denervation caused by benzalkonium chloride plays a causative role in the hyperplasia and crypt cell production rate of the intestinal epithelium (duodenum and descending colon). These changes are probably induced by functional imbalance by the surviving neuronal elements in the gut, implicating neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, noradrenaline, serotonin, somatostatin and vasoactive intestinal peptide.     

Myenteric denervation differentially reduces enteroendocrine serotonin cell population in rats during postnatal development

Summary The enteric nervous and enteroendocrine systems regulate different processes in the small intestine. Ablation of myenteric plexus with benzalkonium chloride (BAC) stimulates epithelial cell proliferation, whereas endocrine serotonin cells may inhibit the process. To evaluate the connection between the systems and the influence of myenteric plexus on serotoninergic cells in rats during postnatal development, the ileal plexus was partially removed with BAC. Rats were treated at 13 or 21 days and sacrificed after 15 days. The cell bodies of myenteric neurons were stained by β NADH-diaphorase to detect the extension of denervation. The number of enteroendocrine cells in the ileum was estimated in crypts and villi in paraffin sections immunostained for serotonin. The number of neurons was reduced by 27.6 and 45% in rats treated on the 13th and 21st days, respectively. We tried to establish a correlation of denervation and the serotonin population according to the age of treatment. We observed a reduction of immunolabelled cells in the crypts of rats treated at 13 days, whereas this effect was seen in the villi of rats denervated at 21 days. These results suggest that the enteric nervous system might control the enteroendocrine cell population and this complex mechanism could be correlated to changes in cell proliferation.     

The chronological relationship between the thickening of smooth muscle, epithelial cell proliferation and myenteric neural denervation in the rat jejunum

The jejunum of rats was treated by serosal application of a 0.2% solution of benzalkonium chloride (BAC) for 30 min. Control animals were treated with saline (0.9% NaC1). The animals were allocated to eight groups of 10 rats each and sacrificed 15, 30, 45, 60 days after BAC treatment. Segments were removed from the jejunum for neuronal counting, measurement of the smooth muscle area and morphokinetic study of the epithelium. There was a significant reduction in neuron number in the myenteric plexus 30 days after BAC treatment, thickening of smooth muscle 15-60 days after BAC treatment, but no change in epithelial cell proliferation in the jejunum at either time.     

Plasticity of interstitial cells of Cajal: a study of mouse colon

Ablation of the myenteric plexus in mouse colon with the detergent benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is followed by considerable recovery of the nerves, indicating that this plexus is capable of regeneration and has plasticity. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are closely associated with enteric nerves, and the acquisition and maintenance of their adult phenotype are nerve-dependent. Little is known about the regenerative processes of ICC or about the possible dependence of these processes on neurons. To address these questions, we ablated the myenteric plexus in the mouse colon with BAC and followed changes in the adjacent ICC (ICC-MP) from day 2 to day 70 after treatment, by using c-kit-immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. In the untreated area, c-kit-positive cells and ICC-MP with normal ultrastructural features were always present. The region partially affected by BAC contained some c-kit-positive cells, and either normal or vacuolated ICC-MP were observed by electron microscopy. Moreover, at days 60–70, ICC-MP with particularly extended rough endoplasmic reticulum were present in this area. In the treated area, either denervated or reinnervated, c-kit-positive cells were always absent. By day 14 after BAC treatment, nerve fibers had started to grow back into the treated region and, in the reinnervated area, cells with fibroblast-like features appeared and were seen to contact both nerve endings and smooth muscle cells and to acquire some typical ICC features. Thus, ICC are vulnerable to external insult but appear to have some ability to regenerate.This work was supported by the US-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF, 98-00185; to M.H.) and University funds “quota di ateneo ex 60%” (M.-S. F.-P.).     

Effect of myenteric denervation on intestinal epithelium proliferation and migration of suckling and weanling rats

The effects of myenteric denervation on the cell kinetics of the intestinal epithelium of suckling and weanling rats were investigated. The myenteric plexus of an ileal segment was partially ablated by serosal application of benzalkonium chloride (BAC) in three groups of rats: those that underwent surgery at 13 days and were killed 15 (13/28-day-old) or 23 (13/36-day-old) days after treatment, and those that were operated at 21 days (21/36-day-old) and were killed 15 days after treatment. The extent of denervation was assessed in whole-mount preparations. The cell bodies of myenteric neurones were stained by NADH-diaphorase histochemical technique. Cell proliferation was estimated by the mitotic index (MI) and morphometric analysis of villus and crypt lengths using an image analysis system. Thickness of the muscle layers was also assessed by morphometry. Cell migration on the villi was estimated by the position of the leading labelled cell 24 h after tritiated thymidine injection. The number of neurones was reduced by around 80% in rats operated at 13 days, and reduced by 98% in those operated at 21 days. The thickness of the muscle layers was increased in all groups of treated animals. MI was significantly higher 15 days after BAC-treatment in the 13/28 group. Morphological changes in the intestinal mucosa were observed 15 days after BAC-treatment, when there was an increase in villus height (13/28 group) and crypt depth (13/28 and 21/36 groups). Cell migration rate was accelerated in the 21/36 group. No differences where found in the 13/36 group. These results show the strong effect of myenteric ablation on cell proliferation and migration in the ileal epithelium in the first 15 days of treatment in suckling and in weanling rats, and the subsequent recovery of intestinal mucosa homeostasis later on.     

Multiple mechanisms contribute to myenteric plexus ablation induced by benzalkonium chloride in the guinea-pig ileum

Ablation of rat myenteric plexus with benzalkonium chloride has provided a model of intestinal aganglionosis, but the degenerative responses are not well understood. We examined the effects of this detergent on neurons and glia, including expression of c-Myc, c-Jun, JunB, and c-Fos, and on immunocytes in the guinea-pig ileum. Benzalkonium chloride (0.1%) or saline was applied to the serosal surface of distal ileum. Tissues were analyzed 2, 3, or 7 days later and compared with cyclosporine-treated and untreated animals. More than 90% of myenteric neurons were destroyed in ileal segments 3–7 days after benzalkonium-chloride treatment. Glia withdrew processes from around neurons after 2 days and were mostly gone after 3 days. Neuronal c-Myc began to disappear while c-Fos, c-Jun, and JunB were evident in some neuronal nuclei after 2 or 3 days. After 3 days, widespread apoptosis was evident in the myenteric plexus. Populations of T cells, B cells, and macrophage-like cells in untreated and saline-treated myenteric plexuses were substantially increased 3 and 7 days after benzalkonium-chloride treatment. Cyclosporine delayed significant neuronal loss. We conclude that a variety of degenerative mechanisms may be active in this model, including an immune response which may actively contribute to tissue destruction. Received: 13 September 1996 / Accepted: 20 January 1997     

Ileal VIP submucous neurons: confocal study of the area enlargement induced by myenteric denervation in weanling rats

Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) neurons are maturing during suckling and weaning periods and the neuropeptide VIP is thought to be neurotrophic during ontogenesis. We have previously demonstrated that suckling rats with myenteric ablation have significantly higher mitotic index and an increase on villus height and crypt depth 15 days after treatment. In the current study, we measured the area of VIP neurons of submucous plexus in the ileum of weanling rats, in which myenteric neurons were ablated by serosal application of benzalkonium chloride (BAC). The area of VIP immunoreactive cell bodies, reconstructed under confocal microscope, was significantly increased in response to denervation. This result suggests that the myenteric plexus may have an inhibitory role over submucous plexus in the normal intestine. The enhanced production of VIP may be correlated with the increased epithelial proliferation induced by denervation in a critical period of life, from suckling to weaning time.     

Morphology of VIP/nNOS-immunoreactive myenteric neurons in the human gut

In this study, we characterized human myenteric neurons co-immunoreactive for neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) by their morphology and their proportion as related to the putative entire myenteric neuronal population. Nine wholemounts (small and large intestinal samples) from nine patients were triple-stained for VIP, neurofilaments (NF) and nNOS. Most neurons immunoreactive for all three markers displayed radially emanating, partly branching dendrites with spiny endings. These neurons were called spiny neurons. The spiny character of their dendrites was more pronounced in the small intestinal specimens and differed markedly from enkephalinergic stubby neurons described earlier. Exclusively in the duodenum, some neurons displayed prominent main dendrites with spiny side branches. Of the axons which could be followed from the ganglion of origin within primary strands of the myenteric plexus beyond the next ganglion (70 out of 140 traced neurons), 94.3% run anally and 5.7% orally. Very few neurons reactive for both VIP and nNOS could not be morphologically classified due to weak or absent NF-immunoreactivity. Another six wholemounts were triple-stained for VIP, nNOS and Hu proteins (HU). The proportion of VIP/nNOS-coreactive neurons in relation to the number of HU-reactive neurons was between 5.8 and 11.5% in the small and between 10.6 and 17.5% in the large intestinal specimens. We conclude that human myenteric spiny neurons co-immunoreactive for VIP and nNOS represent either inhibitory motor or descending interneurons.     

Treatment of Aganglionic Megacolon Mice via Neural Stem Cell Transplantation

To explore a potential methodology for treating aganglionic megacolon, neural stem cells (NSCs) expressing engineered endothelin receptor type B (EDNRB) and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) genes were transplanted into the aganglionic megacolon mice. After transplantation, the regeneration of neurons in the colon tissue was observed, and expression levels of differentiation-related genes were determined. Primary culture of NSCs was obtained from the cortex of postnatal mouse brain and infected with recombinant adenovirus expressing EDNRB and GDNF genes. The mouse model of aganglionic megacolon was developed by treating the colon tissue with 0.5 % benzalkonium chloride (BAC) to selectively remove the myenteric nerve plexus that resembles the pathological changes in the human congenital megacolon. The NSCs stably expressing the EDNRB and GDNF genes were transplanted into the benzalkonium chloride-induced mouse aganglionic colon. Survival and differentiation of the implanted stem cells were assessed after transplantation. Results showed that the EDNRB and GDNF genes were able to be expressed in primary culture of NSCs by adenovirus infection. One week after implantation, grafted NSCs survived and differentiated into neurons. Compared to the controls, elevated expression of EDNRB and GDNF was determined in BAC-induced aganglionic megacolon mice with partially improved intestinal function. Those founding indicated that the genes transfected into NSCs were expressed in vivo after transplantation. Also, this study provided favorable support for the therapeutic potential of multiple gene-modified NSC transplantation to treat Hirschsprung’s disease, a congenital disorder of the colon in which ganglion cells are absent.     

Existence of serotonin and neuropeptides-immunoreactive endocrine cells in the small and large intestines of the mole-rats (Spalax leucodon)

The present study was conducted to clarify the regional distribution and relative frequency of endocrine cells secreting serotonin, substance P (SP), cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and neurotensin in the small and large intestine of the mole-rats (Spalax leucodon), by specific immunohistochemical methods. In the small and large intestine of mole-rats (Spalax leucodon), serotonin, SP and VIP were identified with various frequencies, but CCK-8 and neurotensin were not observed. Most of the IR cells in the small and large intestine were located in the intestinal crypt and epithelium however, they were more frequency in the intestinal crypt. Serotonin-IR cells were detected throughout the whole intestinal tract, predominantly in the duodenum and colon. SP-IR cells were demonstrated throughout the whole intestinal tract except for the ileum and rectum with highest frequencies in the cecum. VIP-IR cells were found in all parts of the small intestine except for the large intestine.In conclusion, the general distribution patterns and relative frequency of intestinal endocrine cells of the mole-rats (Spalax leucodon) was similar to those of some rodent species. However, some species-dependent unique distributions and frequencies characteristics of endocrine cells were also observed in the present study.     

Distribution of serotonin-immunoreactive nerve cells and fibers in the rat gastrointestinal tract

 The distribution of serotonin-immunoreactive (5HT-IR) nerve cells and fibers was thoroughly investigated immunohistochemically in the rat stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon. The immunoreactivity of the 5HT neurons was compared between non-treated controls and animals treated with colchicine, colchicine plus 5-hydroxytryptophan (5HTP), colchicine plus pargyline, and reserpine. The intensity of immunoreactivity in nerve fibers as well as nerve cell bodies was enhanced mostly in colchicine plus pargyline treated animals, therefore these animals were used for an observation of precise localization of 5HT in the rat gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Immunoreactivity in the nerve cell bodies and fibers was completely abolished in the GI tract of reserpine treated animals. The pattern of localization and projection of 5HT-IR neurons was similar in all segments of the rat GI tract. 5HT-IR nerve cell bodies were located in the myenteric plexus and showed the distinctive features of Dogiel type I neurons. Prominent bundles of varicose fibers traversed the myenteric ganglia and some of them surrounded the cell bodies of immunopositive and immunonegative neurons. 5HT-IR nerve fibers were located in the submucous plexus, densely entwined about the submucosal blood vessels. Most characteristically, 5HT-IR nerve fibers invaded the lamina propria of mucosa where they underlay the crypt epithelium. In conclusion, the present study showed that 5HT-IR neurons located in the myenteric plexus projected fibers widely in the rat GI tract. The localization of fibers in the lamina propria of mucosa implies that this neuron may exert an important role in the epithelial function of the GI tract. Accepted: 8 October 1996     

Myenteric plexus of obese diabetic mice (an animal model of human type 2 diabetes)

The myenteric plexus of the gastrointestinal tract was investigated in the obese diabetic mouse, an animal model of human type 2 diabetes. Sections were immunostained by the avidin-biotin complex method, using a general nerve marker, protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), as well as antibodies to several important neurotransmitters. Computerized image analysis was used for quantification. When diabetic mice were compared with controls, no difference was found in the density of PGP 9.5-immunoreactive (IR) nerve fibres in antrum, duodenum or colon. In antrum and duodenum, diabetic mice showed a decreased number of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-IR neurons in myenteric ganglia as well a decreased relative volume density in myenteric plexus (though not significantly in antrum, p=0.073). No difference was found regarding VIP-IR nerves in colon. The volume density of nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-IR nerve fibres was decreased in antrum and duodenum of diabetic mice, whereas no difference was found in colon. The density of galanin-IR nerve fibres was decreased in duodenum. Whereas neuropeptide Y (NPY)- and vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT)-IR nerve fibres was increased in density in colon of diabetic mice, no difference was found in antrum and duodenum. Regarding substance P, there was no difference between diabetic and control mice in antrum, duodenum or colon. The present study shows that gut innervation is affected in this animal model of human type 2 diabetes. It is possible that the present findings may have some relevance for the gastrointestinal dysfunctions seen in patients with type 2 diabetes.     

Trypanosomiasis-Induced Megacolon Illustrates How Myenteric Neurons Modulate the Risk for Colon Cancer in Rats and Humans

Background

Trypanosomiasis induces a remarkable myenteric neuronal degeneration leading to megacolon. Very little is known about the risk for colon cancer in chagasic megacolon patients. To clarify whether chagasic megacolon impacts on colon carcinogenesis, we investigated the risk for colon cancer in Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) infected patients and rats.

Methods

Colon samples from T. cruzi-infected and uninfected patients and rats were histopathologically investigated with colon cancer biomarkers. An experimental model for chemical myenteric denervation was also performed to verify the myenteric neuronal effects on colon carcinogenesis. All experiments complied the guidelines and approval of ethical institutional review boards.

Results

No colon tumors were found in chagasic megacolon samples. A significant myenteric neuronal denervation was observed. Epithelial cell proliferation and hyperplasia were found increased in chagasic megacolon. Analyzing the argyrophilic nucleolar organiser regions within the cryptal bottom revealed reduced risk for colon cancer in Chagas’ megacolon patients. T. cruzi-infected rats showed a significant myenteric neuronal denervation and decreased numbers of colon preneoplastic lesions. In chemical myenteric denervated rats preneoplastic lesions were reduced from the 2^nd wk onward, which ensued having the colon myenteric denervation significantly induced.

Conclusion/Significance

Our data suggest that the trypanosomiasis-related myenteric neuronal degeneration protects the colon tissue from carcinogenic events. Current findings highlight potential mechanisms in tropical diseases and cancer research.     

Projections of neurochemically specified neurons in the porcine colon

The intramural projections of nerve cells containing serotonin (5-HT), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and nitric oxide synthase or reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NOS/NADPHd) were studied in the ascending colon of 5- to 6-week-old pigs by means of immunocytochemistry and histochemistry in combination with myectomy experiments. In control tissue of untreated animals, positive nerve cells and fibres were common in the myenteric and outer submucous plexus and, except for 5-HT-positive perikarya, immunoreactive cell bodies and fibres were also observed in the inner submucous plexus. VIP- and NOS/NADPHd-positive nerve fibres occurred in the ciruclar muscle layer while VIP was also abundant in nerve fibres of the mucosal layer. 5-HT- and CGRP-positive nerve fibres were virtually absent from the aganglionic nerve networks. In the submucosal layer, numerous paravascular CGRP-immunoreactive (IR) nerve fibres were encountered. Myectomy studies revealed that 5-HT-, CGRP-, VIP- and NOS/NADPHd-positive myenteric neurons all displayed anal projections within the myenteric plexus. In addition, some of the serotonergic myenteric neurons projected anally to the outer submucous plexus, whereas a great number of the VIP-ergic and nitrergic myenteric neurons send their axons towards the circular muscle layer. The possible function of these nerve cells in descending nerve pathways in the porcine colon is discussed in relation to the distribution pattern of their perikarya and processes and some of their morphological characteristics.     

Diabetic state affects the innervation of gut in an animal model of human type 1 diabetes

Gastrointestinal symptoms in diabetic patients are commonplace, and are believed to be due, at least partly, to neuropathy of the gut. In the present study, therefore, some important neurotransmitters in the myenteric plexus were investigated in non-obese diabetic mice, an animal model of human type 1 diabetes. For this purpose, immunocytochemistry was applied on sections from antrum, duodenum and colon, subsequently quantified by computerized image analysis. Whereas the number of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-positive neurons was increased in antral myenteric ganglia of diabetic mice, there was a decreased density of nerve fibres in muscularis propria. No difference was seen in the VIP of duodenum and colon. Acetylcholine-containing nerve fibres showed an increased volume density in muscularis propria of antrum and duodenum, but a decreased density in colon of diabetic mice, as compared with controls. There was a decreased number of neurons containing nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in myenteric ganglia of antrum and duodenum. No difference was seen in density of NOS-containing nerve fibres in muscularis propria. There was no difference regarding neuropeptide Y (NPY) and galanin between diabetic and control mice; nor was there any difference between pre-diabetic NOD mice and controls regarding all bioactive substances investigated. It is concluded that the diabetic state affects the innervation of gut in this animal model. The present findings may be of some relevance to the gastrointestinal symptoms seen in patients with diabetes.     

CFTR基因在小鼠肠道组织中的差异表达

目的研究肠道组织CFTR基因表达与分泌性腹泻发生的关系。方法选取KM小鼠24只,雌雄各半,随机分为3组（每组8只）：对照组经小鼠腹腔注射0.2 mL生理盐水,实验组小鼠经腹腔注射LPS[6 mg/（kg·bw）]分别作用1 h、8 h,于注射后通过小鼠精神状态、肠道组织形态学判定分泌性腹泻模型的建立,利用荧光定量PCR法检测各段肠道组织CFTR基因的表达。结果 LPS成功诱导小鼠发生了分泌性腹泻;CFTR基因在小鼠十二指肠、空肠、回肠和结肠组织中均有不同的表达丰度,以结肠最高,但各段肠道间差异不显著;与对照组相比,LPS上调了十二指肠、空肠和回肠CFTR基因的转录,下调了结肠CFTR基因的转录。结论提示肠道组织CFTR基因转录水平的上调与LPS诱导分泌性腹泻的发生密切相关,且在各肠段发挥的作用不同,其中空肠在氯离子（Cl-）分泌中发挥主要作用,结肠的作用最弱。     

Effects of myenteric denervation on extracellular matrix fibers and mast cell distribution in normal stomach and gastric lesions

Background  

In this study the effect of myenteric denervation induced by benzalconium chloride (BAC) on distribution of fibrillar components of extracellular matrix (ECM) and inflammatory cells was investigated in gastric carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). Rats were divided in four experimental groups: non-denervated (I) and denervated stomach (II) without MNNG treatment; non-denervated (III) and denervated stomachs (IV) treated with MNNG. For histopathological, histochemical and stereological analysis, sections of gastric fragments were stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin, Picrosirius-Hematoxylin, Gomori reticulin, Weigert's Resorcin-Fuchsin, Toluidine Blue and Alcian-Blue/Safranin (AB-SAF).     

Neuroplasticity in the smooth muscle of the myenterically and extrinsically denervated rat jejunum

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of two different denervation procedures on the distribution of nerve fibers and neurotransmitter levels in the rat jejunum. Extrinsic nerves were eliminated by crushing the mesenteric pedicle to a segment of jejunum. The myenteric plexus and extrinsic nerves were eliminated by serosal application of the cationic surfactant benzyldimethyltetradecylammonium chloride (BAC). The effects of these two denervation procedures were evaluated at 15 and 45 days. The level of norepinephrine in whole segments of jejunum was initially reduced by more than 76% after both denervation procedures, but by 45 days the level of norepinephrine was the same as in control tissue. Tyrosine hydroxylase (nor-adrenergic nerve marker) immunostaining was absent at 15 days, but returned by 45 days. However, the pattern of noradrenergic innervating axons was altered in the segment deprived of myenteric neurons. Immunohistochemical studies showed protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5)-immunoreactive fibers in whole-mount preparations of the circular smooth muscle in the absence of the myenteric plexus and extrinsic nerves. At 45 days, the number of nerve fibers in the circular smooth muscle increased. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-immunoreactive fibers, a subset of the PGP 9.5 nerve fibers, were present in the circular smooth muscle at both time points examined. Choline acetyltransferase (CAT) activity and VIP and leucine enkephalin levels were measured in separated smooth muscle and submucosa-musosal layers of the denervated jejunum. VIP and leucine-enkephalin levels were no different from control in tissue that was extrinsically denervated alone. However, the levels of these peptides were elevated two-fold in the smooth muscle 15 and 45 days after myenteric and extrinsic denervation. In the submucosa-mucosa, VIP and leucine enkephalin levels also were elevated two-fold at 15 days, but comparable to control at 45 days. CAT activity was equal to control in the smooth muscle but elevated two-fold in the submucosa-mucosa at both times. These results provide evidence for innervation of the circular smooth muscle by the submucosal plexus. Moreover, these nerve fibers originating from the submucosal plexus proliferate in the absence of the myenteric plexus. Furthermore, the myenteric neurons appear to be essential for normal innervation of the smooth muscle by the sympathetic nerve fibers. It is speculated that the sprouting of the submucosal plexus induced by myenteric plexus ablation is mediated by increased production of trophic factors in the hyperplastic smooth muscle.     

A Time-Limited and Partially Reversible Model of Hypoganglionosis Induced by Benzalkonium Chloride Treatment

Serosal application of benzalkonium chloride (BAC) has been previously applied to produce a model of aganglionosis; however, confusion remains regarding the extent of chemical ablation of enteric myenteric plexus after BAC treatment. The time sequence of BAC-induced effects on the myenteric plexus of the rat colon was determined and followed the morphologic changes. After sacrifice of animals 7, 14, 28, 56, 84 or 168 days postintervention, colonic tissue samples were removed, fixed in formalin, and cut into 5-μm longitudinal sections for histological analysis. The neural analysis was used to re-evaluate BAC treatments for the appropriate model. Compared with rats in sham groups, rats in 0.1 %-30-min BAC group maintained only 15.27 ± 4.80 % of ganglia per section in a 1-cm/5-μm slice and 11.76 ± 2.30 % of ganglionic cells after 28 days, the lower and stable number of ganglionic cells between Day 7 and 84 (from 11.67 ± 2.10 to 19.05 ± 5.10 %). Although an increase, ganglionic cell numbers did not recover at Day168 when compared with the numbers in sham groups. The results showed that characteristics of rats in the 0.1 %-30-min BAC group between Day 7 and 84 most closely kept in stable state, suggesting that these treatment parameters are ideal for producing a hypoganglia model of hypoganglionosis.