A novel neuropeptide,pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), in human intestine: evidence for reduced content in Hirschsprung's disease |
| |
| Authors: | Zhenxin Shen Lars Torsten Larsson Gerhard Malmfors Afaf Absood Rolf Håkanson Frank Sundler |
| |
| Institution: | (1) Department of Pediatric Surgery, University of Lund, S-22185 Lund, Sweden;(2) Department of Medical Cell Research, University of Lund, S-22185 Lund, Sweden;(3) Department of Pharmacology, University of Lund, S-22185 Lund, Sweden |
| |
| Abstract: | Summary A novel neuropeptide, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), exhibits sequence homology with vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and occurs in the mammalian brain, lung and gut. The distribution of PACAP in ganglionic and aganglionic portions of the large intestine of patients with Hirschsprung's disease was examined by immunohistochemistry and radioimmunoassay. PACAP-immunoreactive nerve fibers were distributed in all layers of the ganglionic and aganglionic segments of the intestine, although they were less numerous in the latter, and PACAP-immunoreactive nerve cell bodies were seen in the ganglionic portion of the intestine. The concentration of immunoreactive PACAP was lower in the aganglionic than in the ganglionic segment of the intestinal wall. PACAP and VIP were found to coexist in both ganglionic and aganglionic segments of the intestine. Apparently, PACAP participates in the regulation of gut motility. The scarcer PACAP innervation of the aganglionic segment may contribute to the defect in intestinal relaxation seen in patients with Hirschsprung's disease. |
| |
| Keywords: | Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide Neuropeptide immunocytochemistry Radioimmunoassay Hirschsprung's disease Intestine large GUT motility Human |
| 本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录！ |
|
