Z Gastroenterol 2004; 42 - 135
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-827036

Immunohistochemical analysis of the different neuropeptide containing nerve fibres and immunocompetent cells in the gastritis

G Sipos 1, B Batbayar 2, K Altdorfer 2, E Fehér 2
  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Uzsoki Teaching Hospital
  • 22nd Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Semmelweis University, Budapest

Background aims: Changes of the density of different neuropeptide-containing nerve fibres might be important in the different diseases. Therefore our aim was to investigate the precise localization and distribution of the different immunoreactive (IR) nerve fibres in the mucosa of the stomach and compare with the data from the biopsy of patients with gastritis.

Methods: Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), substance P (SP), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and tyrosine β-hydroxylase (TH) IR nerve elements and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (indicator of PARP activation) IR connective tissue cells were detected by ABC immunohistochemistry.

Results: The quantitative analysis of the density of the different neuropeptide containing nerve fibres showed that the IR nerve fibres were found in the mucosa with different density. The NPY and TH IR nerve fibres were mainly located around the blood vessels and only a few of them were observed around the glands. Some IR nerve fibres were also found in a close association to the immunocytes. In the biopsy materials of gastritis the number of NPY IR nerve fibres was slightly decreased, however, the number of SP, VIP and TH IR nerve terminals was significantly (p<0.001) increased. Some immunocompetent cells showed also IR for SP and NPY. Significantly (p<0.001) increased PARP IR cells were detected in the gastritis.

Conclusions: The changes of the density of IR nerve fibres and PARP activation might play a role in the acute phase of inflammation as well as in the pathogenesis of gastritis.