Condition of Adrenergic Innervation Apparatus of the Thyroid Gland, Blood and Lymph Vessels, and Lymph Nodes during Correction of Hypothyrosis.

We used specific histochemical fluorescence-microscopic method of visualization of catecholamines to study adrenergic innervation of the thyroid gland tissue, blood vessels of the thyroid gland, cervical lymphatic vessel and lymph nodes in rats during correction of hypothyroidism with a bioactive formulation (Vozrozhdenie Plus balm with Potentilla alba L.). In experimental hypothyroidism, adrenergic innervation of the thyroid gland and the wall of the cervical lymph node, concentrated mainly along the arterial vessels and the cervical lymphatic vessel, retained its structural formations (plexuses and varicosities), but diffusion of catecholamines outside these formations was observed. Correction with the bioactive formulation restored of the contours of the nerve plexuses and varicosities and their brighter fluorescence in the thyroid gland and cervical lymphatic vessel and node. During correction of hypothyroidism with the bioactive formulation, reorganization of regional lymphatic vessels and nodes was more pronounced than reorganization of the thyroid gland.

Mitotic motors coregulate microtubule patterns in axons and dendrites.

Microtubules are nearly uniformly oriented in the axons of vertebrate neurons but are non-uniformly oriented in their dendrites. Studies to date suggest a scenario for establishing these microtubule patterns whereby microtubules are transported into the axon and nascent dendrites with plus-ends-leading, and then additional microtubules of the opposite orientation are transported into the developing dendrites. Here, we used contemporary tools to confirm that depletion of kinesin-6 (also called CHO1/MKLP1 or kif23) from rat sympathetic neurons causes a reduction in the appearance of minus-end-distal microtubules in developing dendrites, which in turn causes them to assume an axon-like morphology. Interestingly, we observed a similar phenomenon when we depleted kinesin-12 (also called kif15 or HKLP2). Both motors are best known for their participation in mitosis in other cell types, and both are enriched in the cell body and dendrites of neurons. Unlike kinesin-12, which is present throughout the neuron, kinesin-6 is barely detectable in the axon. Accordingly, depletion of kinesin-6, unlike depletion of kinesin-12, has no effect on axonal branching or navigation. Interestingly, depletion of either motor results in faster growing axons with greater numbers of mobile microtubules. Based on these observations, we posit a model whereby these two motors generate forces that attenuate the transport of microtubules with plus-ends-leading from the cell body into the axon. Some of these microtubules are not only prevented from moving into the axon but are driven with minus-ends-leading into developing dendrites. In this manner, these so-called "mitotic" motors coregulate the microtubule patterns of axons and dendrites.

Hypermyelination and overexpression of neuregulin-1 in thoracic sympathetic nerves in patients with primary palmar hyperhidrosis.

Primary palmar hyperhidrosis (PPH) is a condition characterized by high levels of palmar perspiration in excess of physiological need. The etiopathogenesis of PPH is thought to be related to hyperactivity of the sympathetic system, but the exact mechanism is still obscure. The aim of this study was to observe the ultrastructure of the thoracic sympathetic nerves and measure the expression of neuregulin-1 (Nrg-1) in thoracic sympathetic nerve tissue in patients with PPH relative to control subjects. Samples of T3 sympathetic ganglia were obtained from 58 subjects: 30 PPH patients who underwent endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy and 28 control subjects who underwent pleurectomy for chronic empyema. The ultrastructure of the myelin sheath of the sympathetic axons was observed using electron microscopy, and the thickness of the myelin sheath was compared between the two groups. Expression of Nrg-1 mRNA in thoracic sympathetic nerve tissue was evaluated using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. Subjects in the hyperhidrosis group had a significantly greater average myelin thickness and a significantly lower g-ratio relative to the control group. The hyperhidrosis group had significantly higher relative expression of Nrg-1 mRNA in thoracic sympathetic nerve tissue. Hypermyelination of the thoracic sympathetic axons is probably one pathogenetic mechanism underlying PPH. Nrg-1 is likely to be an important cause of hypermyelination in thoracic sympathetic axons in patients with PPH.

Site-dependent difference in the density of sympathetic nerve fibers in muscle-innervating nerves: a histologic study using human cadavers

The autonomic nerve supply of skeletal muscle has become a focus of interest because it is closely related to the adaptation of energy metabolism with aging. However, there is no comprehensive information concerning the sympathetic nerves present in muscle-innervating nerves (muscle-nerve). At the point of entry of muscle-nerves into 8 striated muscles (the soleus, extensor carpi radialis, infraspinatus, genioglossus, extra- ocular medial rectus, temporalis, lateral pterygoid, and digastricus anterior belly) in 15 cadavers of elderly people, we counted both tyrosine hydroxylasepositive nerve fibers (TH- fibers) and motor nerve fibers to estimate the ratio of THfiber/ motor fibers. The 3 limb muscles were found to have a high ratio (soleus, 58%; infraspinatus; 45%; extensor, 36%), whereas the 4 head muscles (digastricus, 23%; genioglossus, 15%; temporalis, 10%; lateral pterygoid, 6%; medial rectus, 1%) had relatively low ratios. The site- dependent characteristics of the THfibers seemed to reflect their commitment to muscle activity. However, some discrepant characteristics were noted: 1) In spite of the tonic and continuous activity required for both the genioglossus and infraspinatus, the proportions of TH-fibers were quite different between the tongue and the shoulder muscles; 2) Likewise, the soleus and extra-ocular rectus showed a considerable difference, even though rapid and phasic contraction is essential for both muscles. Rather than reflecting the influence of postnatal functional demand, these site- dependent characteristics might develop as a result of differences in sympathetic innervation of the striated muscles during fetal development, i.e., a short course along the arteries feeding the head muscles, or a long course along the muscle-nerves to the limb muscles (AU)

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Differential toxicities of intraneurally injected mercuric chloride for sympathetic and somatic motor fibers: an ultrastructural study.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Mercury is a well-known neurotoxin but the susceptibility of autonomic nerves to mercury poisoning in vivo has seldom been studied. Our previous studies have shown that the hypoglossal nerve in hamsters contains somatic motor and postganglionic sympathetic fibers. The aim of this study was to investigate the ultrastructural changes in the nervous system following intraneural injection of mercuric chloride into the hypoglossal nerve in hamsters. METHODS: Six adult hamsters were used in this study. After anesthesia, the digastric muscle on the right side was removed and the trunk of the hypoglossal nerve was exposed. Two microliters of mercuric chloride aqueous solution was injected into the main trunk of the hypoglossal nerve at the bifurcation. The contralateral hypoglossal nerve was kept intact and used as the normal control. Animals were allowed to survive for 1 or 3 days and were prepared for ammonium sulfide histochemistry and electron microscopy. RESULTS: Three days after injection of mercuric chloride solution, almost all unmyelinated sympathetic fibers in the hypoglossal nerve trunk were lost, whereas myelinated somatic axons were spared. Although mercury deposition in the myelin sheaths of neuronal processes was observed in the hypoglossal nucleus, the neuronal somas were intact. By contrast, degenerated neuronal processes and mercury deposition in neuronal somas were frequently found in the superior cervical ganglia. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated an undue susceptibility of sympathetic fibers to mercury intoxication. The mechanisms that underlie the selective reaction of sympathetic fibers to mercury warrant further investigation.

Cardiovascular and behavioural responses to conditioned fear and restraint are not affected by retrograde lesions of A5 and C1 bulbospinal neurons.

The aim of this study was to test a possible role of A5 neurons in the expression of the pressor and tachycardic responses to conditioned fear and restraint, two forms of psychological stress. Previous Fos studies have shown that the C1 adrenergic neurons and spinally projecting neurons in the vasopressor region of the rostral ventrolateral medulla are not activated by these two stressors, suggesting that these cardiovascular changes may be mediated by other premotor sympathetic (presympathetic) cell groups. The same studies also revealed that the A5 noradrenergic group was one of the main presympathetic cell groups to be activated in response to these two stressors. Thus, we hypothesized that the A5 group could mediate these cardiovascular responses. Conditioned fear and restraint were tested in rats implanted with radiotelemetric probes before and after retrograde lesion with the selective toxin anti-dopamine-beta-hydroxylase-saporin bilaterally injected in the spinal cord at T2-T3. Six animals were selected that had the most extensive loss of spinally projecting catecholaminergic neurons: A5 (81%-95%) and rostral C1 (59%-86%, which would include most C1 bulbospinal neurons). However, despite this major loss of noradrenergic and adrenergic presympathetic neurons, the magnitude of the cardiovascular response to conditioned fear and restraint was the same before and after the lesion. Associated behavioural changes were not affected either. The results indicate that A5 presympathetic neurons are not essential for the expression of the tachycardic and pressor responses to conditioned fear and restraint. They also confirm that C1 bulbospinal neurons are not involved in these responses. The presympathetic neurons driving the tachycardic and pressor responses to conditioned fear and restraint must be elsewhere.

Sympathetic nerve varicosities in close apposition to basolateral membranes of collecting duct epithelial cells of rat kidney.

BACKGROUND: There are reports of sympathetic innervation of the nephron and of P2 purinergic receptors on epithelial cells. Since ATP is a cotransmitter with noradrenaline in sympathetic nerves, the objective of the present study was to re-investigate basolateral innervation of rat renal collecting duct epithelial cells by sympathetic nerves in the context of recent data on the effects of ATP on this nephron segment. METHODS: Kidney sections were processed for electron immunocytochemistry, using tyrosine hydroxylase rabbit polyclonal antibody, with a second layer of biotinylated donkey anti-rabbit antibody and finally extravidin-horseradish peroxidase. Immunoreactivity was visualised with 3,3'-diaminobenzidine and examined with a Philips CM120 transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: Electron microscopic evidence is presented for close apposition of sympathetic nerve varicosities immunolabelled with tyrosine hydroxylase to principal and intercalated type epithelial cells of the collecting duct of the cortical region. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that ATP is released as a cotransmitter from sympathetic nerve varicosities to act on basolateral P2 purinoceptors to influence sodium and water (and potentially acid-base) transport, in conjunction with the known (typically inhibitory) actions of autocrine and/or paracrine release of ATP from collecting duct epithelial cells acting via luminal P2 receptors. It is suggested that while luminal responses may dominate under normal physiological conditions, in pathophysiological states, such as stress and dehydration, sympathetic nerves might also be involved in modulating collecting duct fluid and electrolyte transport.

Peptidergic not monoaminergic fibers profusely innervate the young adult human testis.

Numerous studies have reported that intratesticular nerves exert important regulatory effects on the functions of the male gonad; however, as yet little is known about their distribution in the young adult human testis. The purpose of this study was to explore whether peptidergic and adrenergic nerves occur in the male gonad of this age, and, if present, to depict their distribution further. Thirty testes were collected from 15 reproductively healthy donors aged 21-32 years. Antibodies against protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), neuropeptide Y (NPY), C-terminal flanking peptide of NPY (CPON) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) were employed for immunohistochemical detection of intratesticular peptidergic nerves, and those against dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) for monoaminergic ones. The testicular parenchyma exhibited a rich innervation by PGP 9.5-positive fibers, mainly associated with Leydig cell nests, blood vessels, and seminiferous tubules. Numerous NPY- and CPON-immunoreactive (IR) nerves also appeared in the gonads, but the vast majority were confined to blood vessels. A small number of VIP-IR fibers were detected in some arterioles. By contrast, however, no fibers displaying DBH or 5-HT immunoreactivity were observed within the testis. Additionally, expression of PGP-9.5, NPY, CPON, VIP, DBH and 5-HT was found in Leydig cells, PGP 9.5 in spermatogonia, and NPY and CPON in peritubular myoid cells. Our results suggest that the young adult human testis is devoid of monoaminergic nerves but profusely innervated by peptidergic fibers, which may serve as major neuronal regulators for testicular functions at this age.

Investigation of close interactions between sympathetic neural fibres and the follicular dendritic cells network in the mouse spleen.

In this study, co-localization between sympathetic neural fibres and the follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) network was observed within the mouse spleen by confocal technology. Immunohistochemical techniques were used to reveal the rare interactions between the FDCs network and sympathetic neural fibres. We estimated the frequency of three kinds of close interactions which could be defined as overlaps, contacts or neural fibres closer than 10 microm from a FDCs network. Using these estimates, a comparison was made between five uninfected mouse strains exhibiting the same Prnpa genotype but showing different incubation periods when inoculated with primary bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)-infected brain. In prion disease, infectivity is generally detected in the spleen much earlier than in the brain, especially after peripheral inoculation. The way by which the infectious agent reaches the central nervous system is still unclear. From the five mouse strains, we obtained differences in the proportion of splenic FDCs networks with close interactions. Our work suggests that the percentage of splenic FDCs networks with at least one sympathetic neural fibre in close vicinity may influence the length of incubation period.

Tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive fibers in the human vagus nerve.

Sympathetic catecholaminergic fibers in the vagus nerve were immunohistochemically examined in formalin-fixed human cadavers using an antibody against the noradrenalin-synthetic enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). TH-positive fibers were extensively distributed in the vagal nerve components, including the superior and inferior ganglia, the main trunk and the branches (superior and recurrent laryngeal, superior and inferior cardiac, and pulmonary branches). The inferior ganglion and its continuous cervical main trunk contained numerous TH-positive fibers with focal or diffuse distribution patterns in each nerve bundle. From these findings, we conclude that sympathetic fibers are consistently included in the human vagus nerve, a main source of parasympathetic preganglionic fibers to the cervical, thoracic and abdominal visceral organs.

Anatomical and physiological properties of pelvic ganglion neurons in female mice.

Most neurons that regulate motility and blood flow in female pelvic organs are located within pelvic (paracervical) ganglia. In this study we investigated the anatomical and physiological properties of neurons within mouse (C57/Bl/6) paracervical ganglia. Most neurons showed immunoreactivity for choline acetyl transferase (CHAT) and were presumably cholinergic. Few neurons (approximately 5%) were tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive. Immunohistochemical labelling for microtubule associated protein 2 showed most neurons had small somata (cross sectional area approximately 300 microm(2)) and lacked dendrites. Action potential (AP) discharge characteristics, determined by depolarising current step injection, revealed most neurons (70%) adapted rapidly to depolarising current injection and were classified as "phasic". The remaining neurons discharged APs throughout the current step and were classified as "tonic". Membrane properties and current-voltage relationships were similar in phasic and tonic neurons, however the afterhyperpolarisation was significantly smaller in tonic neurons. Stimulation of preganglionic axons usually evoked a single strong preganglionic input (21/27 and 9/10 for pelvic and hypogastric nerves, respectively). In 19 preparations where we tested for inputs from both nerves pelvic inputs predominated (23/45 neurons) and inputs via the hypogastric nerve were rarely observed (3/45 neurons). Together, our data indicate that most neurons within mouse paracervical ganglia are cholinergic and parasympathetic. As there is little anatomical or functional evidence for integration of preganglionic inputs we propose that the role of paracervical neurons is restricted to one of spatial amplification or filtering of preganglionic inputs.

[Comparative analysis of vasomotor responses and sympathetic innervation of feed arteries from locomotor and respiratory muscles in a rat].

The characteristics of feeding arteries of diaphragm and medial gastrocnemius (with a diameter of 200-250 micron) were studied. The registration of the mechanical activity of ring preparations under isometric conditions revealed that diaphragm arteries, like arteries of other muscles with a high content of slow muscle fibers, are highly sensitive to adrenoceptor agonists and acetylcholine. The differences in endothelium-dependent relaxation between diaphragm and gastrocnemius arteries are preserved in the presence of L-NAME and diclofenac. Responses to serotonin in diaphragm and gastrocnemius arteries are similar. At the same time, the high density of innervation is characteristic of diaphragm artery only, while in other slow muscles it is low. The density of adrenergic fibers plexus in the diaphragm artery is much higher than in the gastrocnemius artery. The results suggest that the properties of small arteries of diaphragm are determined not only by the oxidative capacity of diaphragm muscle fibers but also by the belonging of the diaphragm to respiratory musculature.

Development of the swimbladder and its innervation in the zebrafish, Danio rerio.

Many teleosts including zebrafish, Danio rerio, actively regulate buoyancy with a gas-filled swimbladder, the volume of which is controlled by autonomic reflexes acting on vascular, muscular, and secretory effectors. In this study, we investigated the morphological development of the zebrafish swimbladder together with its effectors and innervation. The swimbladder first formed as a single chamber, which inflated at 1-3 days posthatching (dph), 3.5-4 mm body length. Lateral nerves were already present as demonstrated by the antibody zn-12, and blood vessels had formed in parallel on the cranial aspect to supply blood to anastomotic capillary loops as demonstrated by Tie-2 antibody staining. Neuropeptide Y-(NPY-) like immunoreactive (LIR) fibers appeared early in the single-chambered stage, and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-LIR fibers and cell bodies developed by 10 dph (5 mm). By 18 dph (6 mm), the anterior chamber formed by evagination from the cranial end of the original chamber; both chambers then enlarged with the ductus communicans forming a constriction between them. The parallel blood vessels developed into an arteriovenous rete on the cranial aspect of the posterior chamber and this region was innervated by zn-12-reactive fibers. Tyrosine hydroxylase- (TH-), NPY-, and VIP-LIR fibers also innervated this area and the lateral posterior chamber. Innervation of the early anterior chamber was also demonstrated by VIP-LIR fibers. By 25-30 dph (8-9 mm), a band of smooth muscle formed in the lateral wall of the posterior chamber. Although gas in the swimbladder increased buoyancy of young larvae just after first inflation, our results suggest that active control of the swimbladder may not occur until after the formation of the two chambers and subsequent development and maturation of vasculature, musculature and innervation of these structures at about 28-30 dph.

Positional relationship between natural killer cells and distribution of sympathetic nerves in decidualized mouse uterus.

BACKGROUND: Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells are the most abundant leukocytes in pre-implantation endometrium and early pregnancy deciduas in humans and rodents. They are associated with structural changes in maternal spiral arteries but regulation of their recruitment and activation is incompletely understood. The major subpopulation of uNK cells in humans expresses CD56, the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM)-1 while their counterpart in mouse expresses asialoGM1, a brain ganglioside. Sympathetic nerves express NCAM-1 which mediates homotypic binding. Sympathetic fibers innervate the mesometrial vasculature but their relationship to the myometrial and decidual uNK cell recruitment is unknown. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to explore positional relationship between natural killer cells and distribution of nerves in decidualized mouse uterus. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry and mRNA expression for the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase were used to map sympathetic nerve fibre distribution within C57BL/6 implantation sites and to address a relationship with uNK cells. RESULTS: Tyrosine hydroxylase positive neurons were identified in the mesometrium closely associated with uterine arteries. Staining became gradually vanished as the nerves crossed the myometrium and entered the decidualized uterus. No neuronal stain was associated with the spiral arteries. Periodic Acid Schiff's reactive uNK cells were absent from the mesentery, but abundant in decidua basalis where they are associated with non-innervated vessels. CONCLUSION: Data suggest that the recruitment of uNK progenitor cells to the uterus is unlikely to be dependent on signaling by the sympathetic nervous system.

Autonomic and sensitive somatic innervation of the ostrich elbow and knee joints articular capsule.

The present research was carried out on the fibrous layer of the ostrich's elbow and knee joints articular capsule, employing opportunely modified gold chloride Ruffini's method, to study the autonomic and sensitive somatic nerve components. The distribution of both nerve components followed frequently the vascular networks. The autonomic innervation was represented by isolated or grouped ganglion cells, frequently placed along the course of nerve trunks, close to the epineurium or located within the perineural connective tissue. The sensitive somatic innervation was constituted by free and encapsulated corpuscles. The last one, morphologically classified as Pacini, Pacini-like and Golgi-Mazzoni's corpuscles, were found isolated or grouped to constitute simple and complex flower sprays, "opposito-polar corpuscles" and "poichilomorphous fibres". The very few Golgi-Mazzoni's corpuscles were found only in the knee joint articular capsule. The two nerve components, found in the considered districts, did not shown significant quanti-qualitative and topographic differences. This datum, at least in appearance, seems to conflict with the ostrich functional aptitudes. In fact, the ostrich is a bird unable to fly but very able to run.

An investigation of a sympathetic innervation of the vertebral artery in primates: is there a neurogenic substrate for vasoconstriction?

Vasoconstriction of the vertebral artery may be neurogenic in origin. Although the existence of a perivascular sympathetic plexus of the vertebral artery is not in doubt, no method used to date has conclusively demonstrated a direct sympathetic innervation of the vascular smooth muscle cells and, hence, vasomotor function. It was the aim of this study, therefore, to visualise and localise noradrenergic fibres in the wall of the vertebral artery. Intracranial vertebral artery specimens (10 vervet monkeys and 10 baboon vessels) were sectioned (40 mm serial sections) and treated with anti-tyrosine hydroxylase, anti-dopamine b-hydroxylase, and anti-chromogranin-A antibodies. Some evidence of catecholaminergic fibres in the tunica adventitia but not penetrating the external elastic lamina or tunica media of the vertebral artery wall was seen. These findings were confirmed by electron microscopy. It was concluded that although a perivascular sympathetic plexus exists, the vertebral artery of primates was not shown to have a direct sympathetic innervation and a neurogenic vasoconstrictor function is unlikely.

Morphology of the long and short uveal nerves in the human eye.

The aim of this study was to examine the architecture of the uveal nerves in the sclera and suprachoroid of human eyes. Eyes from 17 adult human donors were investigated. The uveal nerves in different regions (retrobulbar, intrascleral, suprachoroidal, pars plana) were prepared and studied by light and electron microscopy. In addition, immunohistochemistry was performed for various neuronal markers. The long uveal nerves showed a characteristic suprachoroidal location with no branches supplying the choroid. It was found that typically they are composed of myelinated (75%) and non-myelinated (25%) nerve fibres. They mainly contain aminergic and sensory nerve fibres. A separate set of cholinergic non-myelinated nerve fibre bundles runs parallel with these long uveal nerves. The short uveal nerves supply the suprachoroidal nerve plexus with approximately 13% of their nerve fibres. The nerves and the branches supplying the choroid appear as mixed nerves containing sympathetic, parasympathetic and sensory axons. This study therefore provides new information about the quantity, type and distribution of myelinated and non-myelinated nerve fibres in the posterior uvea of the human eye.

Differential expression of calcium channels in sympathetic and parasympathetic preganglionic inputs to neurons in paracervical ganglia of guinea-pigs.

Neurons in pelvic ganglia receive nicotinic excitatory post-synaptic potentials (EPSPs) from sacral preganglionic neurons via the pelvic nerve, lumbar preganglionic neurons via the hypogastric nerve or both. We tested the effect of a range of calcium channel antagonists on EPSPs evoked in paracervical ganglia of female guinea-pigs after pelvic or hypogastric nerve stimulation. omega-Conotoxin GVIA (CTX GVIA, 100 nM) or the novel N-type calcium channel antagonist, CTX CVID (100 nM) reduced the amplitude of EPSPs evoked after pelvic nerve stimulation by 50-75% but had no effect on EPSPs evoked by hypogastric nerve stimulation. Combined addition of CTX GVIA and CTX CVID was no more effective than either antagonist alone. EPSPs evoked by stimulating either nerve trunk were not inhibited by the P/Q calcium channel antagonist, omega-agatoxin IVA (100 nM), nor the L-type calcium channel antagonist, nifedipine (30 microM). SNX 482 (300 nM), an antagonist at some R-type calcium channels, inhibited EPSPs after hypogastric nerve stimulation by 20% but had little effect on EPSPs after pelvic nerve stimulation. Amiloride (100 microM) inhibited EPSPs after stimulation of either trunk by 40%, while nickel (100 microM) was ineffective. CTX GVIA or CTX CVID (100 nM) also slowed the rate of action potential repolarization and reduced afterhyperpolarization amplitude in paracervical neurons. Thus, release of transmitter from the terminals of sacral preganglionic neurons is largely dependent on calcium influx through N-type calcium channels, although an unknown calcium channel which is resistant to selective antagonists also contributes to release. Release of transmitter from lumbar preganglionic neurons does not require calcium entry through either conventional N-type calcium channels or the variant CTX CVID-sensitive N-type calcium channel and seems to be mediated largely by a novel calcium channel.

Sympathetic innervation of the tongue in rats.

We employed a glyoxylic catecholaminergic histofluorescence method to study the sympathetic innervation present in the rat tongue. One percent neutral red was used as a counterstain. Many noradrenergic fibers were demonstrated around the blood vessels, muscles, glands and submucosa of the tongue, but not in the epithelium or papilla. In a group of rats following neurectomy, the superior cervical ganglia (SCG) were removed unilaterally or bilaterally. Changes in sympathetic innervation of the tongue were examined 14 days after SCG ganglionectomy. In those animals after unilateral SCG ganglionectomy, we found no noradrenergic histofluorescence in the ipsilateral anterior 2/3 of the tongue, although some scant fluorescence was found in the ipsilateral posterior 1/3 of the tongue. However, no noradrenergic histofluorescence could be observed in animal's bilateral SCG ganglionectomies. Our results indicate that sympathetic innervation of the tongue in rats originates in the SCG, with some cross-innervation of the sympathetic fibers occurring in the posterior 1/3 of the tongue.

Alterations of cardiac innervation in evolving myocardial infarction and transplanted hearts. An anatomo-clinical reappraisal.

BACKGROUND: Debate regarding the alterations of the cardiac innervation in an evolving myocardial infarction and transplanted hearts is still raging and most studies are based on radionuclide uptake of neurotransmitters or on the evaluation of the cardiorespiratory reflex. METHODS: The present investigation, upon human autoptic specimens of 57 infarcts and 8 cardiac transplants, was carried out with traditional neuropathology and modern molecular biology techniques. The specimens were selected for the identification of neurons, nerve fibers and their sheaths. RESULTS: First of all, these techniques confirmed the gross difference in the vulnerability of infarcted myocytes if compared with the local innervation, the metabolism of which is infinitely less oxygen-dependent than that of working myocardium (approximate quantitation below). Delicate technicalities of the traditional silver impregnation for nerves usually yield a large incidence of artifacts. Thereby, only perfect results (20% of cases), corroborated by parallel nerve sheath immunostaining (70% of cases), were retained and documented herein. In the meantime, acidosis and free radicals increase, while catabolite accumulation supervenes. These three factors threaten myocardial viability. Thereby, nervelets can be seen to survive the hyperacute phase of ischemia, but may be in part damaged by the successive granulocytic-macrophage inflammation enzyme lysis of the infarcted muscle. The delayed and incomplete anatomical neural damage is confirmed by the observation of preserved nerve sheaths and neural filaments surviving in postinfarction scars, almost devoid of myocardiocytes. CONCLUSIONS: The rich sympatho-vagal cardiac network might further provide alternative bypasses for post-infarct reinnervation. The functional implications of this process remain unclear.