Immunohistochemical Studies on Damages of Intestinal Nerve Plexuses in Ischemic State

Dazhi Chen, Masahiko Onda, Yukichi Moriyama, Yonejiro Nakajima

The First Department of Surgery, Nippon Medical School

The genesis and development of intestinal nerve plexus damage in ischemic and hypoxic states in the dog was investigated using immunohistochemical methods. The intestinal nerve plexuses were strongly stained by S-100 antibody in the control group, but no histological changes were observed in nerve fibers or neurocytes. The S-100 protein staining of intestinal nerve plexuses decreased from 30 minutes of ischemia, and degeneration features of neurocytes and nerve fibers appeared. After 150 minutes of ischemia, the S-100 protein staining of intestinal nerve plexuses almost disappeared, swelling of nerve fibers and necrosis of neurocytes could be clearly observed. Approximately the same degree of damage was found in the perfusion groups with hypoxic blood. On the other hand, ischemia-reperfusion tests were also conducted in mice. After 60 minutes of ischemia, mucosal damage was repaired after 3 days of reperfusion, whereas intestinal nerve plexus damage required 14 days to recover. After 90 minutes of ischemia, mucosal damage had returned to normal 14 days later, but clear repair did not appear in plexuses. In groups exposed to 120 minutes of ischemia, the damage was even more severe.

Key words
intestinal nerve plexus, hypoxic perfusion, immunohistochemistry, S-100 protein

Reprint requests
Dazhi Chen The First Department of Surgery, Nippon Medical School
1-1-5 Sendagi, Buknyo-ku, Tokyo, 1l3 JAPAN

Accepted
June 17, 1992

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