The influence of distal colon irritation on the changes of cystometry parameters to esophagus and colon distentions

ABSTRACT The co-occurrence of multiple pathologies in the pelvic viscera in the same patient, such as, irritable bowel syndrome and interstitial cystitis, indicates the complexity of viscero-visceral interactions and the necessity to study these interactions under multiple pathological conditions. In the present study, the effect of distal colon irritation (DCI) on the urinary bladder interaction with distal esophagus distention (DED), distal colon distention (DCD), and electrical stimulation of the abdominal branches of vagus nerve (abd-vagus) were investigated using cystometry parameters. The DCI significantly decreased the intercontraction time (ICT) by decreasing the storage time (ST); nonetheless, DED and Abd-vagus were still able to significantly decrease the ICT and ST following DCI. However, DCD had no effect on ICT following the DCI. The DCI, also, significantly decreased the Intravesical pressure amplitude (P-amplitude) by increasing the resting pressure (RP). Although DED has no effect on the P-amplitude, both in the intact and the irritated animals, the abd-vagus significantly increased the P-amplitude following DCI by increasing the maximum pressure (MP). In the contrary, 3mL DCD significantly increased the P-amplitude by increasing the MP and lost that effect following the DCI. Concerning the pressure threshold (PT), none of the stimuli had any significant changes in the intact animals. However, DCI significantly decreased the PT, also, the abd-vagus and 3mL DCD significantly decreased the PT. The results of this study indicate that chemical irritation of colon complicates the effects of mechanical irritation of esophagus and colon on urinary bladder function.

Blood vessels i ganglia in human esophagus migt explain the higher frequency of megaesophagus compared with megacooon / Vasos sanguíneos em gânglios no esôfago humano poderiam explicar a maior freqüência de megaesôfago comparado com megacolon

This study aimed to determine the existence of blood vessels within ganglia of the myenteric plexus of the human esophagus and colon. At necropsy, 15 stillborns, newborns and children up to two years of age, with no gastrointestinal disorders, were examined. Rings of the esophagus and colon were analyzed and then fixed in formalin and processed for paraffin. Histological sections were stained by hematoxylin-eosin, Giemsa and immunohistochemistry for the characterization of endothelial cells, using antibodies for anti-factor VIII and CD31. Blood vessels were identified within the ganglia of the myenteric plexus of the esophagus, and no blood vessels were found in any ganglia of the colon. It was concluded that the ganglia of the myenteric plexus of the esophagus are vascularized, while the ganglia of the colon are avascular. Vascularization within the esophageal ganglia could facilitate the entrance of infectious agents, as well as the development of inflammatory responses (ganglionitis) and denervation, as found in Chagas disease and idiopathic achalasia. This could explain the higher frequency of megaesophagus compared with megacolon.

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar se existem ou não vasos sanguíneos no interior de gânglios do plexo mientérico do esôfago e cólon humano. Foram examinados 15 casos de necrópsias de natimortos, recém-nascidos e crianças de até dois anos de idade, sem alterações gastrintestinais, que faleceram por doenças em outros órgãos. Foram analisados anéis do esôfago e cólon, fixados em formol e processados para inclusão em parafina. Cortes histológicos escalonados foram corados pelas técnicas de hematoxilina-eosina, Giemsa e imuno-histoquímica para caracterização das células endoteliais, utilizando-se os anticorpos anti-fator VIII e CD 31. Foram identificados vasos sanguíneos no interior de gânglios do plexo mientérico do esôfago em todos os casos e não foram vistos vasos sanguíneos em nenhum gânglio do cólon. Concluímos que os gânglios do plexo mientérico do esôfago são vascularizados e, os do cólon, avasculares. A vascularização no interior dos gânglios do esôfago pode facilitar a entrada de agentes infecciosos, bem como o desenvolvimento de respostas inflamatórias (ganglionite) e denervação, como encontrados na doença de Chagas e na acalásia idiopática. Isso pode explicar a frequência maior de megaesôfago comparado com megacólon.

Síndrome de intestino irritable, un proceso inflamatorio de bajo grado: ¿mito o realidad? / IBS, a low grade inflammatory process: myth or reality?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most prevalent functional disorders in Chile impacting on socio-economic development due to significantly impaired quality of life of the individual. It is characterised by abdominal discomfort associated with alterations in bowel habit and increased visceral hypersensitivity. One of the outstanding features of IBS is the presence of a bi-directional imbalance of gut-brain interactions, which can induce alterations in the intestinal immune response. IBS is characterised by increased intestinal mast cell activity associated with alterations of para-cellular permeability and activation of sensory nerve endings. The increased proximity of mast cell to colonic nerves is correlated with abdominal pain and increased visceral hypersensitivity of the patients. In spite of the well-described role of mast cell in the induction of mucosal inflammation, in IBS only a low-grade inflammation is observed. The present review discuses the possible immune-regulatory mechanisms that are involved in IBS pathophysiology.

El síndrome de intestino irritable (SII) es considerado uno de los trastornos funcionales más prevalente en Chile, que impacta el desarrollo socio-económico del país debido al deterioro de la calidad de vida de los individuos que lo portan. Es caracterizado por molestias abdominales asociadas a alteraciones en el hábito de defecación e hipersensibilidad visceral. Una de las características más destacadas en el SII es la presencia de un desequilibrio de las interacciones en el eje intestino-cerebro, el cual puede inducir alteraciones en la respuesta inmune intestinal. El SII es caracterizado por una aumentada actividad de los mastocitos en el intestino, asociada con alteraciones en la permeabilidad para-celular epitelial y la activación de terminaciones nerviosas en la mucosa intestinal. El aumento de la cercanía de los mastocitos a nervios colónicos está relacionado con el dolor abdominal y la hipersensibilidad visceral de los pacientes. Pese a que está muy bien descrito el papel del mastocito en la inducción de la inflamación en mucosas, en el SII se observa sólo un bajo-grado de inflamación. En la presente revisión se discute los posibles mecanismos regulatorios inmunes que están involucrados en la fisiopatología del SII.

Neuronal changes caused by Trypanosoma cruzi: an experimental model

Define an experimental model by evaluating quantitative and morphometric changes in myenteric neurons of the colon of mice infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Twenty-eight Swiss male mice were distributed into groups: control (CG, n=9) and inoculated with 100 (IG100, n=9) and 1000 (IG1000, n=10) blood trypomastigotes, Y strain-T. cruzi II. Parasitemia was evaluated from 3-25 days post inoculation (dpi) with parasites peak of 7.7 × 10(6) and 8.4 × 10(6) trypomastigotes/mL at 8th dpi (p>0.05) in IG100 and IG1000, respectively. Chronic phase of the infection was obtained with two doses of 100mg/Kg/weight and one dose of 250mg/Kg/weight of Benznidazole on 11, 16 and 18 dpi. Three animals from each group were euthanized at 18, 30 and 75 dpi. The colon was stained with Giemsa. The quantitative and morphometric analysis of neurons revealed that the infection caused a decrease of neuronal density on 30th dpi (p<0.05) and 75 dpi (p<0.05) in IG100 and IG1000. Infection caused death and neuronal hypertrophy in the 75th dpi in IG100 and IG1000 (p<0.05, p<0.01). The changes observed in myenteric neurons were directly related to the inoculate and the time of infection.

Definir um modelo experimental de avaliação de alterações quantitativas e morfométricas nos neurônios mientéricos do cólon de camundongos infectados pelo Trypanosoma cruzi. Vinte e oito camundongos Swiss machos foram distribuídos nos grupos: controle (GC, n=9) e infectados com 100 (IG100, n=9) e 1000 (IG1000, n=10) tripomastigotas sanguíneos, cepa Y-T. cruzi II. A parasitemia foi avaliada 3-25 dias pós inoculação (dpi), com pico de parasitos de 7,7 × 10(6) e 8,4 × 10(6) tripomastigotas/mL no 8º dpi (p>0,05) em IG100 e IG1000, respectivamente. A fase crônica da infecção foi obtida com duas doses de 100mg/Kg/weight e uma dose de 250mg/Kg/ weight do benznidazol, em 11, 16 e 18 dpi. Três animais de cada grupo foram sacrificados aos 18, 30 e 75 dpi. O cólon foi corado com Giemsa. A análise quantitativa e morfométrica de neurônios revelou que a infecção causou uma diminuição da densidade neuronal no 30º dpi (p<0,05) e 75 dpi (p<0,05) em IG100 e IG1000. A infecção causou morte e hipertrofia neuronal no 75º dpi em IG100 e IG1000 (p<0,05, p<0,01). As alterações observadas nos neurônios mientéricos foram diretamente relacionadas ao inóculo e tempo de infecção.

Atrophy of the nitrergic myenteric neurons in the descending colon rats submitted to protein and vitamin deficiency / Atrofia en neuronas mientéricas nitrérgicas en el colon descendente de ratas sometidas a deficiencia de proteínas y vitaminas

Effects of protein and B-complex vitamin deficiency were assessed with respect to the morphometry of myenteric neurons in the descending colon of adult rats. Sixteen animals were divided into two groups: Control Group (CG, n=8) and Experimental Group (EG, n=8). The CG received 22 percent protein chow and the EG received 4 percent protein chow for 120 days. The descending colon was submitted to NADH- and NADPH-diaphorase technique in order to evidence nervous cells in the whole mounts preparations. In the EG, NADH-d positive neurons presented reduced nuclei, while NADPH-d positive neurons showed atrophy of the soma area (~41.7 percent) inducing an increase of the proportion occupied by the nucleus inside in the soma of these cells.

Esta investigación buscó evaluar los efectos de la desnutrición proteica y vitamínica delcomplexo B sobre aspectos morfométricos del plexo mientérico del colon descendente de ratones adultos. Dieciséis animales fueron distribuidos en dos grupos: control que recibieron ración comercial con 22 por ciento de proteína y experimental alimentados con ración de tenor proteico reducido para 8 por ciento, durante 120 días. Neuronas del plexo mientérico presentes en preparados totales fueron evidenciados a través de la técnica histoquímica de la NADH-diaforasa y de la NADPH-diaforasa. En el grupo experimental, las neuronas NADH-d positivos sufrieron reducción del núcleo celular, ya las neuronas NADPH-d sufrieron atrofia de 41,7 por ciento de la superficie de su pericarion, lo que hizo con que el núcleo celular pasase a ocupar una mayor proporción de la región trófica de las neuronas.

Alterações morfométricas no plexo mioentérico do cólon menor equino distendido experimentalmente / Morphometrical alterations in myoenteric plexus of experimentally distended equine small colon

O cólon menor dos equinos é frequentemente acometido por afecções obstrutivas, sendo a disfunção da motilidade uma complicação comum após o tratamento cirúrgico. Este transtorno pode estar relacionado com lesões no plexo mioentérico ocorridas durante a distensão intestinal, contudo pouco se sabe sobre sua fisiopatologia. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as alterações morfológicas na inervação mioentérica em segmentos de cólon menor de eqüinos submetidos à distensão intraluminal com pressão suficiente para promover redução da perfusão microvascular (isquemia parcial) da parede intestinal. Nove eqüinos foram submetidos à distensão do cólon menor por 4h. Fragmentos da parede intestinal foram colhidos antes e ao final da distensão, após 1,5 e 12 horas de reperfusão no segmento experimental e ao final do procedimento em segmento distante. As amostras foram fixadas e processadas rotineiramente e secções histológicas foram coradas com cresil violeta para a morfometria. Por meio de um software de análise de imagens, obtiveram-se a área, o perímetro e os diâmetros mínimo e máximo do corpo neuronal, do núcleo e do nucléolo dos neurônios e as áreas do citoplasma e do nucleoplasma. Verificou-se redução significativa (P<0,05) das áreas do corpo neuronal e do citoplasma ao final da distensão, retornando aos valores equivalentes aos iniciais durante a reperfusão. Conclui-se que a distensão intraluminal alterou morfologicamente os neurônios do plexo mioentérico. Essas modificações morfológicas podem estar associadas e contribuir para explicar a disfunção da motilidade freqüentemente observada em casos clínicos.

The equine small colon is frequently affected by obstruction, and intestinal motility dysfunction is a common complication after its surgical treatment. This fact may be related to myoenteric plexus lesion caused by distention; however, little is known about the pathophysiology of this condition. The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphological alterations in the myoenteric inervation of segments of small colon of horses subjected to intraluminal distension with reduction of the microvascular perfusion (partial ischemia) of the intestinal wall. Nine horses were used to promote distension of on segment of small colon for 4 hours. Samples of intestinal wall were collected before and at the end of the distension, after 1.5 and 12 hours of reperfusion in the experimental segment and at the end of the procedure in a different distant segment. Samples were processed and histological sections were stained with cresyl violet for the morphometric studies. An image analyzer software was used to measure perimeter, diameter, and area of the neuronal body, nucleus and nucleolus of the neurons and the areas of the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm. Significant reductions (P<0.05) in the areas of the neuronal body and cytoplasm were detected at the end of intestinal distension, returning to the basal values during the reperfusion. In conclusion, intraluminal distension promoted changes in the morphology of the neurons of myoenteric plexus. These morphological modifications may be associated to the motility dysfunction frequently observed in clinical cases.

Infecção crônica por Toxoplasma gondii induzindo hipertrofia de neurônios do plexo mientérico do cólon descendente de Rattus norvegicus / Chronic infection due to Toxoplasma gondii inducing neuron hypertrophy of the myenteric plexus of Rattus norvegicus descending colon

Neste estudo, foram avaliados os efeitos da infecção crônica por taquizoítos de Toxoplasma gondii sobre os neurônios mientéricos do cólon descendente de ratos adultos. Utilizaram-se 10 ratos Wistar machos, com 60 dias de idade, divididos em grupo controle e experimental, que foram inoculados por via oral com 10(5) taquizoítos do genótipo I de T. gondii. Após 30 dias, os animais foram anestesiados e submetidos à laparatomia. O cólon descendente foi retirado, mensurado, dissecado e seus preparados de membrana submetidos à técnica de Giemsa, para coloração dos neurônios do plexo mientérico, seguido por análise morfométrica e quantitativa. Verificou-se que a infecção não causou alterações nas dimensões do órgão ou na população neuronal, porém houve um aumento significativo da área do pericário e citoplasma.

The effects of the chronic infection due to Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites on the myenteric neurons of the adult rat descending colon were assessed in this study. Ten male, 60-day-old, Wistar rats, divided into control and experimental group were orally inoculated with 10(5) tachyzoites from Toxoplasma gondii genotype I strain. After 30 days, the animals were anesthetized and submitted to laparotomy. The descending colon was removed, dissected, and the whole-mounts were staining by Giemsa, in order to observe neurons of the myenteric plexus, followed by quantitative and morphometric analysis. It was verified that the infection caused alterations neither with respect to the dimensions of the organ nor the neuronal population; however, there was a significant increase of the perikarion area and the cytoplasm.

Intrinsic denervation of the colon is associated with a decrease of some colonic preneoplastic markers in rats treated with a chemical carcinogen

Denervation of the colon is protective against the colon cancer; however, the mechanisms involved are unknown. We tested the hypothesis that the denervated colonic mucosa could be less responsive to the action of the chemical carcinogen dimethylhydrazine (DMH). Three groups of 32 male Wistar rats were treated as follows: group 1 (G1) had the colon denervated with 0.3 mL 1.5 mM benzyldimethyltetradecylammonium (benzalkonium chloride, BAC); G2 received a single ip injection of 125 mg/kg DMH; G3 was treated with BAC + the same dose and route of DMH. A control group (Sham, N = 32) did not receive any treatment. Each group was subdivided into four groups according to the sacrifice time (1, 2, 6, and 12 weeks after DMH). Crypt fission index, ß-catenin accumulated crypts, aberrant crypt foci, and cell proliferation were evaluated and analyzed by ANOVA and the Student t-test. G3 animals presented a small number of aberrant crypt foci and low crypt fission index compared to G2 animals after 2 and 12 weeks, respectively. From the second week on, the index of ß-catenin crypt in G3 animals increased slower than in G2 animals. From the 12th week on, G2 animals presented a significant increase in cell proliferation when compared to the other groups. Colonic denervation plays an anticarcinogenic role from early stages of colon cancer development. This finding can be of importance for the study of the role of the enteric nervous system in the carcinogenic process.

Intestinal Auerbach plexus structures with NADH histochemistry in three strains of spontaneous diabetic rats / Estructuras del plexo de Auerbach intestinal con histoquímica del NADH en tres líneas de ratas espontáneamente diabéticas

The enteric nervous system comprises two major systems: the submucosal and the myenteric plexus. Theaim of this study was to describe the myenteric plexusfrom three strains of spontaneous diabetic rats from thehistological point of view. Samples of small intestineand of proximal and distal colon were obtained fromthree spontaneous diabetic rats i.e., eSS, eSMT, βstrains and 1-year old Wistar rats. Specimens werestained with NADH (β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide,reduced form) histochemical technique andexamined with light microscope. Microscopically little modifications in mesh-like structure of intestinal Auerbach’s plexus from eSS were detected in comparisonwith Wistar rats samples. Intestinal plexus of eSMT and β rats showed disruption of mesh-like structures, modifications in the slightly colored background (smooth muscle) and augmented vascularization. Small intestine and colon are affected. In short: In our spontaneously diabetic rat models, mesh-like structure of Auerbach’s plexus is strain dependent.

El sistema nerviso entérico comprende dos sistemas mayores: el plexo submucoso y el plexo mientérico. Este estudio describe la estructura histológica del plexo mientérico en tres líneas de ratas espontáneamente diabéticas. Especímenes de intestino delgado, colon proximal y colon distal fueron obtenidos de tres líneas de ratas espontáneamente diabéticas: eSS, eSMT, β y Wistar de 1 año de edad. Los materiales obtenidos fueron procesados con la técnica histoquímica del NADH (β-nicotinamida adenina dinucleotido, forma reducida) y observados en un microscopio óptico. Pequeñas modificaciones histológicas en la estructura reticular del plexo de Auerbach intestinal pueden ser detectados en las ratas eSS cuando son comparadas con las ratas Wistar. La estructura reticular del plexo de Auerbach de las ratass eSMT y β muestran una desaparición de dicha estructura reticular, disminución de la coloración de base (músculo liso) y un aumento de la vascularización. Tanto el intestino delgado como el colon están afectados. Resumiendo: en nuestros modelos experimentales de ratas diabéticas la estructura reticular del plexo de Auerbach es dependiente de la línea de rata estudiada.

Intestinal Neuronal Dysplasia / 대한소화기학회지

Intestinal neuronal dysplasia (IND) type B is a disease of the submucosal plexus of intestine manifesting chronic intestinal obstruction or severe chronic constipation. IND is one of intestinal dysganglionoses and clinically closely associated with Hirschsprung's disease. Until recently, it is not fully clear whether IND is a congenital malformation or an acquired secondary condition related to some gastrointestinal problems. However, recently published data and consensus reports have enhanced our understanding of the pathogenesis and management of IND. The aim of this paper was to review the current state of knowledge regarding the controversial issues of IND including the etiology, classification, diagnostic criteria, and available therapeutic intervention.

Treatment and postoperative complication of 420 patients with congenital megacolon

Hirschprung's disease is still one of the most important problems of pediatric surgery and its treatment has its own different complications and difficulties. Therefore, pediatric surgeons use different methods in each case. The objective of this study was to review the advantages and disadvantages of the Swenson's procedure over the past 20-years. In this survey, we reported 420 patients who in a 20-year interval [from 1981-2000] with the net diagnosis of Hirschprung's disease, were admitted to the pediatric surgery ward of Taleghani Medical Center, Tehran, Iran and operated on by Swenson's procedure. This survey has been carried out in 2 parts with descriptional method using patients' files and analytical method by using patients' observation and questionnaires. In the first step, they were 420 patients and in second step 216 patients were studied and the results of the first 10 years [190 cases] and the results of the second 10 years [230 cases] were analyzed alone and compared with each. The results revealed wound infection in 17 cases in the first 10 years [14.2%], with18 cases in the second [7.9%] giving a mean of 10.7%. Anastomosis leakage was 6.8% in the first and 2.2% in the second 10 years with a mean of 4.2%. Septicemia was 3.6% in the first and 0.9% in the second period with a mean of 4%. Intestinal obstruction was 4.2% in the first and 2.1% in the second 10 years with a mean of 3%. There was no mortality during the surgery and for one month after. The results of late complications are: rectal anastomosis stricture, 13% in the first and 3% in the second 10 years with a mean of 7.6%; inguinal hernia of 1.6% in the first and 0.4% in the second period with a mean of 1% and finally, the death rate due to enterocolitis was 1.6% in the first and 0.9% in the second 10 years. Altogether, 87% of patients and their parents were satisfied with bowel habits after operation; 10% were relatively satisfied and 3% were not satisfied at all. Age distribution at the time of diagnosis: 50% of 0-1 months; 23% of 1-12 months and 27% were above one-year-old. Three hundred and eleven patients [74%] were male and 109 [26%] were female. The youngest patient was 3-days-old and the oldest was a 14-year and 3-month-old boy. The most common denerved part of the intestine was sigmoid colon with 54.4% prevalence. Our results show that Swenson's method is a successful procedure in the treatment of Hirschprung's disease

Congenital megacolon: diagnosis using size of sub-mucosal nerve trunk as a criteria.

Cholinergic hyperinnervation in submucosa of aganglionic segment of Hirschsprung's disease has been described. However, objective measurement of the nerve fibers was insufficiently reported. OBJECTIVES: To study the amount and size of hypertrophic submucosal nerve trunks in the aganglionic segment of Hirschsprung's disease, semiquantitatively and evaluate the possibility of using the size as objective diagnostic criteria. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirteen specimens from aganglionic segments from Hirschsprung's disease and six specimens from the age-matched control subjected without colonic innervation disorders were studied with the S-100 immunohistochemical technic. The submucosal nerve trunks were counted per ten HPF and measured in width, semiquantitatively. Fiber sizes were stratified into small (<20 micrometers), medium (20-40 micrometers), and large (>40 micrometers). Maximum fiber size in each specimen was also recorded. RESULTS: Average density of submucosal nerve trunk in the aganglionic segment and the control were 12.5 and 3.4 fibers per ten HPF, respectively. The large nerve trunks were detected in 12 of 13 aganglionic specimens and none was detected in the controls. The maximum fiber size in aganglionic segments was 78.2 micrometers, compared to 24.1 micrometers in the control group. The sensitivity and specificity to set the presence of hypertrophic nerve trunk, larger than 40 micrometers as a diagnostic criteria for Hirschsprung's disease were 92.3 and 100 per cent, respectively. The data suggest the use of this size as an objective diagnostic criterion, which may be valuable in rectal suction biopsy specimens.

Morphometric Evaluation of PGP9.5 and NCAM Expressing Nerve Fibers in Colonic Muscle of Patients with Hirschsprung's Disease

A quantitative assessment of the density of the protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5), the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), and the low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) expressing nerve fibers in the circular muscle layer in the colon was carried out by morphometric analyses from 13 patients with Hirschsprung's disease (HD). The difference in the nerve fiber density between the ganglionic and aganglionic segments was compared by calculating the ratio of the sum of the areas occupied by positively stained nerve fibers per unit area of the muscle after immunohistochemical staining on paraffin embedded tissue sections using computer software. There was an obvious difference in the density of the PGP9.5 stained nerve fibers between the ganglionic (0.0380 +/- 0.0171) and aganglionic segments (0.0143 +/- 0.01661). The NCAM-positive nerve fibers were fewer in number than those of both the PGP9.5-positive fibers and NCAM-positive fibers, which were also markedly lower in number in the aganglionic segment (0.0066 +/- 0.0076) than in the ganglionic segment (0.0230 +/- 0.0195). Immunostaining for low-affinity NGFR revealed much fainter staining in the ganglionic and aganglionic segment without a statistically significant difference in their density. Considering the fact that PGP9.5 is a very sensitive marker for nerve fibers, the results of this study reaffirm the innervation failure of the proper muscle in HD. The decreased NCAM expression level in the aganglionic segment appears to be caused not by the selective down-regulation of NCAM expression among the nerve fibers but by a markedly reduced number of nerve fibers.

Effects of protein and vitamin B deficiency on blood parameters and myenteric neurons of the colon of rats

The aims of this work were to evaluate the effects of the deficient ingestion of protein and vitamin B on the biochemical and hematologic parameters and on the NADH- and NADPH-diaphorase positive myenteric neurons. The control animals (n=10) received commercial chow and the experimental rats (n=10) received chow with protein level reduced to 8 percent during 120 days. At the time of killing blood was collected for assessment of the blood and hematologic parameters and the ascending colon for quantitative analysis of the neurons of the myenteric plexus. It was observed that the reduction of the protein level to 8 percent coupled to the reduction of the levels of vitamin B in adult rats neither led to qualitative or quantitative changes on red or white blood cells, nor decreased globulin levels, induced the formation of edema or gave rise to clinical signs typical of protein or vitamin B deficiency. On the other hand, the experimental protocol led to less weight gain, change on the body composition with fat deposition; decrease of the values of serum total protein and albumin; reduction of the area of colon and density of nitrergic and NADH-diaphorase myenteric neurons inferior to the expected

Morphological and quantitative study of the myenteric plexus of ascending colon of rats subjected to protein desnutrition

We carried out this study with the purpose of contributing on the effects of the proteic desnutrition on the morphological aspects and quantitative analysis of the neurons in the myenteric plexus of the ascending colon of adult Rattus norvegicus. Twenty adult rats were divided into two groups; in one of them, we offered a normal ration with proteic level of 22 percent (control group) and in the other, a ration with a proteic level of 8 percent (experiment group) during 120 days. We did the whole-mount preparations for the ascending colon and stained them with the Giemsa technique and the histochemical technique of NADH-diaphorase. The rats with proteic desnutrition showed a body weight, on average, to be 35.1 percent less than those of the control group, and the colon was on average, 26.8 percent shorter and 6.7 percent narrower. Thus, it was to be expected that the colon of animals with proteic desnutrition had a neuronal density 31.62 percent greater than the rats of the control group. Nevertheles, the difference with the Giemsa technique was on average 18.4 percent, demonstrating a mean neuronal loss of 13.25 percent.

Effect of maternal protein deprivation on morphological and quantitative aspects of the myenteric plexus neurons of proximal colon in rats

We have studied the morphological and quantitative aspects of the myenteric plexus neurons of the proximal colon in rats (Rattus norvegicus of Wistar strain) submitted to a protein deprivation during prenatal and lactation periods. Twenty pregnant dams were divided in four groups labeled according to the kind of nourishment they were given: Group NN, normal diet; Group DN, low protein diet during prenatal period, and normal diet during lactation period;Group ND, normal diet during prenatal period, and low protein diet during lactation period; Group DD, low protein diet during prenatal and lactation periods. Histological analyses were developed with proximal colon segments using the haematoxylin and eosin staining method. Membrane preparations were stained by Giemsa'smethod. The statistical analysis has demonstrated no sgnificant difference amongthe means of neurons found in the four studied groups. It was noticed that the animals under protein deprivation during prenatal and lactation periods presentedgreater quantity of large and strongly basophilic myenteric neurons. This suggests that neurons have accumulated protein in the cytoplasm.

Rat colon epithelium response to hypoxia is modified by intrinsic innervation blockade

Background/Aim: Short-circuit current (Isc) and transepithelial potential difference (PD) of rat distal colon decrease during acute hypoxia and overshoot on reoxygenation. It is not known whether tonic intrinsic nervous activity may influence these responses. Methods: Preparations lacking the submucosal plexus (isolet mucosa) and preparations retaining it (mucosa-submucosa) were mounted in Ussing chambers at 37 degrees Celsius and gassed with 95 percent O2 -5 percent CO2; Isc and PD were monitored. A 5-min hypoxia with 95 percent N2-5 percent CO2 was followed by reoxygenation. The procedure was repeated in the presence of the nervous blocking agent, tetrodotoxin (10(-6)M) in the serosal side of the chamber. Results: In the isolated mucosa (n=10) hypoxia reduced Isc by -55 + 5 percent and PD by -54 + 6 percent below baseline; reoxygenatory overschoots were, respectively, + 60 + 17 percent and + 16 percent. Tetrodotoxin slightly and transiently reduced baseline Isc (-16 + 2 percent) and PD (-14 + 3 percent), with a small resistivity increase. It did not significatively modify the responses to responses to either hypoxia or reoxygenation. In mucosa-submucosa preparations (n=9) hypoxia reduced Isc (-54 + 8 percent) and PD (-61 + 4 percent). On reoxygenation Isc and PD were increased, respectively, +30 + 5 percent and +19 + 6 percent over baseline. Tetrodotoxin reduced baseline Isc (-59,6 + 5 percent) and PD (61,3 + 6 percent). It enhanced hypoxic Isc and PD decreases (-80 + 5 percent), but not the reoxygenatory overschoots. Conclusions: 1) Tetrodotoxin affects baseline Isc and PD more intensely in submucosal plexus innervated preparations than in the isolated mucosa. 2) The epithelial electrical response to acute hypoxia appears to be modulated by tonic neural activity.

A propósito da renovaçäo do epitélio intestinal: II. Fatores intraluminais, sistêmico, influências neurovasculares e adaptaçäo pós-operatório, no cólon / Renewal of colonic intestinal epithelium: II. Action of intraluminal, systemic, neurovascular factors and postoperative adaptation

Vários estudos têm sido realizados com o objetivo de melhor determinar os múltiplos mecanismos envolvidos no precesso de renovaçäo do epitélio intestinal. Alguns fatores säo conhecidamente participantes deste fenômeno. Entretanto, existem inúmeras pesquisas com resultados contraditórios sobre o assunto, especialmente no que se refere ao cólon. Os autores fazem uma análise comparativa da participaçäo dos principais fatores atuantes no processo da renovaçäo epitelial colônica, associando condiçöes fisiológicas e/ou patológicas. O objetivo é para tentar elucidar algumas dúvidas, entre as inúmeras existentes, para melhor compreensäo de certas entidades mórbidas que, de maneira contumaz, assentam-se no intestino grosso

Dilataçäo aguda idiopática do cólon pós-operaçäo cesareana / Acute idiopathic colon dilatation post cesarean section

Dilataçäo aguda idiopática do cólon pós-operaçäo cesareana, síndrome de Ogilvie ou pseudo-obstruçäo do cólon tem muitas outras denominaçöes na literatura. As características clínicas e radiológicas da síndrome säo as da obstruçäo mecânica do cólon. Entre suas complicaçöes, a perfuraçäo do ceco é a mais importante. Os autores apresentam 2 casos, um deles complicado por perfuraçäo do ceco. As pacientes foram operadas e sobreviveram