Abstract
The changes in nitric oxide (NO)-related neural components in the transplanted small intestine are unknown. In this study, the NO neural component was examined using electrophysiological and NADPH-diaphorase histochemical techniques in a rat small bowel transplantation model. Syngeneic total small bowel transplantation was performed in 26 male Lewis rats using microsurgical techniques. The rats were divided into four groups: an untreated control group and animals at 1 (G1), 2 (G2), and 4 (G4) weeks after transplantation. Jejunal strips were mounted in a superfusion apparatus for examination. In the presence of atropine and guanethidine, the effect of the NO synthesis inhibitor L-NG-vitro-arginine (L-NNA, 100 μM) relaxation mediated by the nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) neural system was assessed following electrical stimulation at 2 Hz. The inhibitory effect of L-NNA on relaxation was taken as an indicator of NO production. The percentage of inhibition in the control group, and in G1, G2, and G4 was 43.30% ± 6.08% (mean ± SE), 42.10%± 6.69%, 43.62±10.00%, and 52.46% ± 6.00%, respectively. Inhibition in G4 was significantly higher than in the other groups (P< 0.01). The percentage of NADPH-diaphorase-positive fibers in the control group, G1, G2, and G4 was 25.06 % ± 4.70% (mean ± SE), 26.27% ± 2.17% , 24.73% ± 2.87%, and 30.76% ± 3.19%, respectively. Again, G4 showed a significantly higher level than the other groups (P < 0.01). We conclude that increased NO production may play a significant role in maintaining the intrinsic nervous system of the small intestine after transplantation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aimi Y, Kimura H, Kinoshita T, Minami Y, Fujimura M, Vincent SR (1993) Histochemical localization of nitric oxide synthase in rat enteric nervous system. Neuroscience 53: 553–560
Boeckxstaens GE, Pelckmans PA, De Man JG, Bult H, Herman AG, Van Maercke YM (1992) Evidence for a differential release of nitric oxide and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide by nonadrenergic non-cholinergic nerves in the rat gastric fundus. Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther 318:107–115
Bult H, Boeckxstaens GE, Pelckmans PA, Jordaens FH, Van Maercke YM, Herman AG (1990) Nitric oxide as an inhibitory non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic neurotransmitter. Nature 345: 346–347
Gustafsson LE, Wiklund CU, Wiklund NP, Persson MG, Moncada S (1990) Modulation of autonomic neuroeffector transmission by nitric oxide in guinea pig ileum. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 173:106–110
Hryhorenko LM, Fox-Threlkeld JET (1993) Tonic nitric oxide (NO) release inhibits field stimulated (FS) acetylcholine (ACh) release from canine ileal myenteric plexus free circular muscle. Gastroenterology 104: A1043
Ishii H, Kusunoki M, Fujita S, Yamamura T, Utsunomiya J (1994) Changes of intestinal motility after small bowel transplantation in the rat. Transplantation 57: 1149–1152
Kusunoki M, Taniyama K, Tanaka C (1984) Neuronal GABA release and GABA inhibition of ACh release in guinea pig urinary bladder. Am J Physiol 246: 502–509
Kusunoki M, Ishii H, Nakao K, Fujiwara Y, Yamamura T, Utsunomiya J (1995) Long-term effects of small bowel transplantation on intestinal motility. Transplantation 60: 897–899
Lefebvre RA, Baert E, Barbier AJ (1992) Influence of NG-nitro-L-arginine on non-adrenergic non-cholinergic relaxation in the guinea-pig gastric fundus. Br J Pharmacol 106: 173–179
Lefebvre RA, De Vriese A, Smits GJ (1992) Influence of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and NG-L-arginine methyl ester on cholinergic neurotransmission in the rat gastric fundus. Eur J Pharmacol 221: 235–242
Moncada S, Palmer RM, Higgs EA (1991) Nitric oxide: physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology. Pharmacol Rev 43: 109–142
Saat RE, Heineman E, Bruin RWF de, Marquet RL, Jeekel J (1989) Total orthotopic small bowel transplantation: attempts to ameliorate the graft-versushost disease by irradiation and transfusion of the donor. Transplantation 47: 451–453
Shuttleworth CW, Murphy R, Furness JB (1991) Evidence that nitric oxide participates in non-adrenergic inhibitory transmission to intestinal muscle in the guinea-pig. Neurosci Lett 130: 77–80
Taguchi T, Zorychta E, Sonnino RE, Guttman FM (1989) Small intestinal transplantation in the rat: effect on physiological properties of smooth muscle and nerves. J Pediatr Surg 24: 1258–1263
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
About this article
Cite this article
Nakao, K., Ishii, H., Kusunoki, M. et al. Nitric oxide-related neural components in the rat small intestine after transplantation. Transplant Int 10, 19–23 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02044337
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02044337