Summary
Liver tissue from 12 different mammalian species was studied with a fluorescence histochemical technique for the cellular localization of amines (Falck-Hillarp technique) and with a chemical method for the determination of norepinephrine (HPLC-technique). Adrenergic nerve plexus were found in interlobular blood vessels derived from the portal vein and hepatic artery. Varicose adrenergic nerve fibres were, generally, seen to branch from the fibres around the blood vessels and to enter the liver parenchyma, where they formed a randomly distributed intralobular network. The density of these intralobular fibres showed marked species variation. Human liver and liver from the rhesus monkey, baboon, cynomolgus monkey and guinea pig showed a high density of parenchymal adrenergic nerves. Rabbit, cat, pig, cow and horse liver formed an intermediate group, having fewer varicose adrenergic nerve fibres but an unequivocal distribution of these nerves to the liver parenchyma. In rat and mouse liver no parenchymal innervation could be demonstrated. The density of the parenchymal innervation generally correlated with the concentration of norepinephrine in the liver tissue.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alexander WF (1940) The innervation of the biliary system. J Comp Neurol 73:357–370
Anufriev B-T, Eletski YK, Smitten NA (1973) Histochemical investigation of the adrenergic innervation of the liver. Bull Exp Med 75:584–586
Björklund A, Falck B, Owman C (1972) Fluorescence microscopic and microspectrofluorometric techniques for the cellular localization and characterization of biogenic amines. In: SA Berson (ed) Methods of investigative and diagnostic endocrinology, Vol 1: The thyroid and biogenic amines (JE Rall, IJ Kopin ed), North-Holland Publ Comp. Amsterdam: pp 318–368
Edwards AV (1972) The hyperglycaemic response to stimulation of the hepatic sympathetic innervation in adrenalectomized cats and dogs. J Physiol (Lond) 220:697–710
Elias H, Petty D (1953) Terminal distribution of the hepatic artery. Anat Rec 116:9–17
Falck B (1962) Observations on the possibilities of cellular localization of monoamines by a fluorescence method. Acta Physiol Scand 56:suppl 1; 1–25
Falck B, Hillarp N-Å, Thieme G, Torp A (1962) Fluorescence of catecholamines and related compounds condensed with formaldehyde. J Histochem Cytochem 10:348–354
Falck B, Ingemansson S, Nobin A, Rosengren E (1975) The adrenergic innervation of the human liver. Acta Endocrinol (Kbh) suppl 199:181
Forssmann WG, Ito S (1977) Hepatocyte innervation in primates. J Cell Biol 74:299–313
Greenway CV, Starke RD (1971). Hepatic vascular bed. Physiol Rev 51:23–65
Hansson C, Agrup G, Rorsman H, Rosengren A-M, Rosengren E (1979) Analysis of cysteinyldopa, dopa, dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline in serum and urine using high-performance liquid chromatography and electrochemical detection. J Chromatography 162:7–22
Holbrook ML (1882) The termination of the nerves in the liver. Proc Am Soc Microsc 95–100
Hornbrook KR (1970) Adrenergic receptors for metabolic responses in the liver. Fed Proc Fed Am Soc Biol 29:1381–1385
Järhult J (1975) Role of the sympathoadrenal system in haemorrhagic hyperglycemia. Acta Physiol Scand 93:25–33
Järhult J, Andersson P-O, Holst J, Moghimzadeh E, Nobin A (1980) On the sympathetic innervation to the cat's liver and its role for hepatic glucose release. Acta Physiol Scand 110:5–11
Kyösola K (1978) Comparative formaldehyde-induced and glyoxylic acid-induced fluorescence histochemical studies on the intrinsic adrenergic innervation of the intestine and the liver of normal and vagotomized cats. Acta Histochem 62:188–199
Lautt WW (1980) Hepatic nerves: a review of their functions and effects. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 58:105–123
Lautt WW, Wong C (1978) Hepatic glucose balance in response to direct stimulation of sympathetic nerves in the intact liver of cats. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 56:1022–1028
Mondon CE, Burton SD (1971) Factors modifying carbohydrate metabolism and effect of insulin in perfused rat liver. Am J Physiol 220:724–733
Nobin A, Falck B, Ingemansson S, Järhult J, Rosengren E (1977) Organization and function of the sympathetic innervation of human liver. Acta Physiol Scand suppl 452:103–106
Nobin A, Baumgarten HG, Falck B, Ingemansson S, Moghimzadeh E, Rosengren E (1978) Organization of the sympathetic innervation in liver tissue from monkey and man. Cell Tissue Res 195:371–380
Pflüger EFW (1869) Über die Abhängigkeit der Leber vom Nervensystem. Arch Ges Physiol 2:459–461
Rappaport AM (1975) Anatomic considerations. In: L Schiff (ed) Diseases of the liver, 4th ed, JB Lippincott Co, Toronto, p 36
Reilly FD, McCuskey RS (1978) Intrahepatic distribution of nerves in the rat. Anat Rec 191:55–68
Riegele L (1928) Über das feinere Verhalten der Nerven in der Leber von Mensch und Säugetier. Z mikrosk Anat Forsch 14:73–498
Satler JJ, Predan S, Brzin M (1974) The activity and cytochemical localization of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholin esterase in the rat liver. Histochemistry 39:65–70
Sawchenko PE, Friedman MI (1979) Sensory functions of the liver — a review. Am J Physiol 236:R5-R20
Shimazu T, Amakawa A (1968) Regulation of glycogen metabolism in the liver by the autonomic nervous system: II. Neural control of glycogenolytic enzymes. Biochim Biophys Acta 164:249–356
Shimazu T, Fujimata T (1971) Regulation of glycogen metabolism in the liver by autonomic nervous system. IV. Neural control of glycogen biosynthesis. Biochim Biophys Acta 252:18–27
Sisto LD, Erobecchi A (1969) L'innervazione adrenergetica del fegato. Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper 45:55–59
Skaaring P, Bierring F (1976) On the intrinsic innervation of normal rat liver. Histochemical and scanning electron microscopic studies. Cell Tissue Res 171:141–155
Sutherland SD (1965) The intrinsic innervation of the liver. Rev Int Hepatol 15:569–578
Ungváry G, Donath T (1969) On the monoaminergic innervation of the liver. Acta Anat 72:446–459
Yamada E (1965) Some observations on the nerve terminal on the liver parenchymal cell of the mouse as revealed by electron microscopy. Okajimas Folia Anat Jpn 40:663–677
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Moghimzadeh, E., Nobin, A. & Rosengren, E. Fluorescence microscopical and chemical characterization of the adrenergic innervation in mammalian liver tissue. Cell Tissue Res. 230, 605–613 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00216204
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00216204