Effects of superior mesenteric and coeliac ganglionectomy on peptide-producing cells of the small intestinal mucosa in the Hanford mini pig. II. Immunohistochemical study

Abstract

Superior mesenteric and coeliac ganglionectomy was performed in 5 Hanford mini pigs and cholecystokinin (CCK)-immunoreactive I-cells, neurotensin (NT)-immunoreactive N-cells, glucagon (Glu)-immunoreactive L-cells, glicentin (Glic)-immunoreactive L-cells and somatostatin (Som)-immunoreactive D-cells were quantitatively evaluated in the duodenum, the upper, middle and lower jejunum and the ileum before, 3 weeks and 6 months after ganglionectomy. Three additional animals served as controls. After ganglionectomy, I-cell numbers increase by 110% in the upper jejunum and duodenum; N-cells increase by 86% in the lower jejunum. Glu- and Glic-immunoreactive L-cells decrease slightly in the jejunum. In contrast, D-cells decrease in all sections of the small intestine by 44-76% (P less than 0.05 and P less than 0.001). All the examined entero-endocrine cells, except the D-cells in the duodenum and upper jejunum, develop hypertrophy after ganglionectomy. No changes either in number or size are found in the ganglia and neurons of the myenteric plexus. From these and the recently described increase in villus height and absorptive cells and absorptive cell enzymes after ganglionectomy (Holle, G.E. et al. Effects of superior mesenteric and coeliac ganglionectomy on the mucosa of the small intestine in the Hanford mini pig. I. Histological and enzymhistochemical study, J. Auton. Nerv. Syst., 26 (1988) 135-145), we conclude that the extrinsic nervous system takes suppressive influence on structure and probably function of the small intestinal mucosa by modifying its cellular organization.