Advances of circulating biomarkers in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplam (GEP-NEN) is a rare group of tumors with its incidence rising significantly in recent decades. Because of the late presentation of the disease and limitations in conventional biomarkers, about 50% of GEP-NEN patients manifests advanced disease when diagnosed. Therefore, it is vital to identify circulating biomarkers which can not only be used for early diagnosis but also accurately evaluating the biological behavior of GEP-NEN. This review summarizes the advances of circulating biomarkers in diagnosing and evaluating efficacy of treatment in GEP-NEN. Well-known circulating biomarkers include chromogranin A (CgA), pancreastatin (PST), chromogranin B (CgB), neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and pancreatic peptide(PP). Novel biomarkers including circulating tumor cell(CTC), microRNA and NETest are promising biomarkers with potential clinical benefit, but further researches are needed before their clinical applications.

Umbilical Cord Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Useful in Insulin Production - Another Opportunity in Cell Therapy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune disorder resulting out of T cell mediated destruction of pancreatic beta cells. Immunomodulatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells may help to regenerate beta cells and/or prevent further destruction of remnant, unaffected beta cells in diabetes. We have assessed the ability of umbilical cord derived MSCs (UCMSCs) to differentiate into functional islet cells in vitro. METHODS AND RESULTS: We have isolated UCMSCs and allowed sequential exposure of various inducing agents and growth factors. We characterized these cells for confirmation of the presence of islet cell markers and their functionality. The spindle shaped undifferentiated UCMSCs, change their morphology to become triangular in shape. These cells then come together to form the islet like structures which then grow in size and mature over time. These cells express pancreatic and duodenal homeobox -1 (PDX-1), neurogenin 3 (Ngn-3), glucose transporter 2 (Glut 2) and other pancreatic cell markers like glucagon, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide and lose expression of MSC markers like CD73 and CD105. They were functionally active as demonstrated by release of physiological insulin and C-peptide in response to elevated glucose concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic islet like cells with desired functionality can thus be obtained in reasonable numbers from undifferentiated UCMSCs in vitro. This could help in establishing a "very definitive source" of islet like cells for cell therapy. UCMSCs could thus be a game changer in treatment of diabetes.

Molecular Mechanisms of Appetite Regulation

The prevalence of obesity has been rapidly increasing worldwide over the last several decades and has become a major health problem in developed countries. The brain, especially the hypothalamus, plays a key role in the control of food intake by sensing metabolic signals from peripheral organs and modulating feeding behaviors. To accomplish these important roles, the hypothalamus communicates with other brain areas such as the brainstem and reward-related limbic pathways. The adipocyte-derived hormone leptin and pancreatic beta-cell-derived insulin inform adiposity to the hypothalamus. Gut hormones such as cholecystokinin, peptide YY, pancreatic polypeptide, glucagon-like peptide 1, and oxyntomodulin transfer satiety signals to the brain and ghrelin relays hunger signals. The endocannabinoid system and nutrients are also involved in the physiological regulation of food intake. In this article, we briefly review physiological mechanisms of appetite regulation.

Prostate stem cell antigen gene is expressed in islets of pancreas / 대한해부학회지

Prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored cell surface antigen with an organ-dependent expression pattern in cancers; e.g., up-regulated in prostate cancer and down-regulated in gastric cancer. Previously it was reported that PSCA is not expressed in the normal pancreas but aberrantly expressed in pancreatic cancer. In this present study, we identified PSCA expression in islets of the pancreas by immunohistochemistry, which was co-localized with four islet-cell markers: insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide. In our investigation of the transcription start site of PSCA, we found a non-coding splicing variant of PSCA as well as authentic PSCA transcripts in mRNA samples from a normal pancreas. Both the transcripts were also identified in several pancreatic cancer cell lines. We previously reported that PSCA expression is correlated to the methylation status of the enhancer region in gastric and gallbladder cancer cell lines but not in pancreatic cancer cell lines, suggesting that PSCA expression is regulated in a diff erent mode in pancreatic cancer from that in gastric and gallbladder cancers.

Relações entre fase cefálica da digestão, consumo alimentar e reatividade microvascular de indivíduos saudáveis / Relations between cephalic phase of digestion, food consumption and microvascular reactivity in health people

A fase cefálica de secreção de insulina (FCSI) ocorre dentro da fase cefálica da digestão, em aproximadamente dez minutos entre a estimulação oro-sensorial pelo alimento e o início da absorção deste e determina um incremento rápido dos níveis basais de insulina. A FCSI parece ser importante para a tolerância normal à glicose. A hipótese deste estudo é de que a insulina secretada na fase cefálica da digestão teria ações direcionadas para o tecido microvascular, com conseqüente recrutamento capilar. Estudos recentes com indivíduos sadios têm mostrado a associação entre função microvascular e componentes dietéticos. Padrões alimentares saudáveis e intervenções nutricionais com alimentos específicos representam estratégias preventivas e terapêuticas não-farmacológicas para redução da inflamação e do risco metabólico e cardiovascular associados. O estudo de consumo alimentar inserido nesta pesquisa objetivou identificar associações entre componentes dietéticos e a função microvascular em indivíduos saudáveis. Após avaliação clínica e laboratorial, 39 voluntários saudáveis foram submetidos a dois exames de videocapilaroscopia do leito ungueal, com um intervalo de dez minutos entre os mesmos. Neste intervalo, conforme randomização, uma refeição com ótima apresentação e aroma foi apresentada (estímulo sendorial) ou não (controle). Coletas sangüíneas foram realizadas aos 3, 9 e 15 minutos após a apresentação do estímulo, para avaliação dos níveis de insulina e polipeptídeo pancreático (PP), marcadores bioquímicos da fase cefálica da digestão. Durante todo o exame, medidas de fluxo e vasomotricidade foram realizadas pela técnica de laser-Doppler fluxometria. Após o exame, foi realizada iontoforese transdérmica de insulina. Todos os participantes responderam a um questionário de freqüência alimentar (QFA), relativo ao hábito de consumo dietético dos últimos 12 meses. O estudo da resposta microvascular à fase cefálica comparou as diferenças de densidade capilar...

The cephalic phase of insulin secretion (CPIS) occurs within the cephalic phase of digestion, in approximately ten minutes between the oral-sensorial stimulation elicited by the food to be consumed and the beginning of its absorption. It determines a rapid increase in insulin levels. The CPIS is believed to be important for normal glucose tolerance. The hypothesis of this study is that insulin secreted during cephalic phase would also have actions targeting microvascular tissue, with resulting capillary recruitment. Recent studies with healthy subjects have shown an association between microvascular function and dietary factors. Healthy eating patterns and nutritional interventions with specific food items represent non-pharmacological preventive and therapeutic strategies for reducing inflammation and cardio-metabolic associated risk factors. The study of food intake included in this research aimed to identify associations between dietary intake and microvascular function in healthy subjects. After clinical and laboratorial assessment, 39 healthy men underwent two nailfold videocapillaroscopies, with an interval of 10 minutes between them. In this interval, according to radomization, they were subjected to a great-looking breakfast tray (CPIS group) or to nothing (control group). Blood samples were drawn at 3, 9 and 15 minutes after the stimulus presentation to assess insulin and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) levels, which are markers of cephalic phase of digestion. Throughout the exam, microflow and vasomotion were measured by laser-Doppler flowmetry. After the exam insulin iontophoresis was performed. All participants answered a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) regarding their dietary intake in the last 12 months. The assessment of microvascular response to CPIS compared differences in functional capillary density (FCD) and microflow in the CPIS and control groups, pre- and post-stimulus and their correlations with changes in insulin and PP...

Decrease in intestinal endocrine cells in Balb/c mice with CT-26 carcinoma cells

The density of intestinal endocrine cells, in Balb/c mice with colon 26 (CT-26) carcinoma cells, were examined immunohistochemically at 28 days after implantation. After CT-26 cell administration there was a significant decrease in most of the intestinal endocrine cells (p < 0.01) compared with the control group. The significant quantitative changes in the intestinal endocrine cell density might contribute to the development of the gastrointestinal symptoms commonly encountered in cancer patients.

Different Regulation of Atrial ANP Release through Neuropeptide Y2 and Y4 Receptors

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptors are present in cardiac membranes. However, its physiological roles in the heart are not clear. The aim of this study was to define the direct effects of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) on atrial dynamics and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) release in perfused beating atria. Pancreatic polypeptides, a NPY Y4 receptor agonist, decreased atrial contractility but was not dose-dependent. The ANP release was stimulated by PP in a dose-dependent manner. GR 23118, a NPY Y4 receptor agonist, also increased the ANP release and the potency was greater than PP. In contrast, peptide YY (3-36) (PYY), an NPY Y2 receptor agonist, suppressed the release of ANP with positive inotropy. NPY, an agonist for Y1, 2, 5 receptor, did not cause any significant changes. The pretreatment of NPY (18-36), an antagonist for NPY Y3 receptor, markedly attenuated the stimulation of ANP release by PP but did not affect the suppression of ANP release by PYY. BIIE0246, an antagonist for NPY Y2 receptor, attenuated the suppression of ANP release by PYY. The responsiveness of atrial contractility to PP or PYY was not affected by either of the antagonists. These results suggest that NPY Y4 and Y2 receptor differently regulate the release of atrial ANP.

Immunocytochemical study of the distribuition of endocrine cells in the pancreas of the Brazilian sparrow species Zonotrichia Capensis Subtorquata (Swaison, 1837)

In the present study, we investigated types of pancreatic endocrine cells and its respective peptides in the Brazilian sparrow species using immunocytochemistry. The use of polyclonal specific antisera for somatostatin, glucagon, avian pancreatic polypeptide (APP), YY polypeptide (PYY) and insulin, revealed a diversified distribution in the pancreas. All these types of immunoreactive cells were observed in the pancreas with different amounts. Insulin- Immunoreactive cells to (B cells) were most numerous, preferably occupying the central place in the pancreatic islets. Somatostatin, PPA, PYY and glucagon immunoreactive cells occurred in a lower frequency in the periphery of pancreatic islets.

Os tipos de células endócrinas e seus respectivos peptídeos reguladores foram estudados imunocitoquimicamente no pâncreas do tico-tico, espécie Zonotrichia capensis subtorquata, empregando-se o método imunocitoquímico ABC - Peroxidase (Complexo Avidina - Biotina - Peroxidase) e anti-soros específicos para somatostatina, ao glucagon, ao polipeptídeo pancreático aviário (PPA), ao polipeptídeo YY (PYY) e à insulina. Todos estes tipos de células imunorreativas foram observadas no pâncreas em quantidades diferentes. As células imunorreativas à insulina (células B) foram as mais numerosas, ocupando preferencialmente, a região central das ilhotas pancreáticas. As células endócrinas imunorreativas à somatostatina, PPA, PYY e glucagon localizaram-se predominantemente na periferia das ilhotas.

Establishment of the Guideline for the Anatomical Resection of the Ventral and Dorsal Portion of the Pancreatic Head

PURPOSE: This study was designed to delineate the anatomical details of the pancreatic head for a ventral or dorsal segmental pancreatic resection along the embryological fusion plane, and to determine the feasibility of both procedures. METHODS: The resected pancreaticoduodenectomy specimens were analyzed (n=8), with the pancreatic and distal common bile ducts visualized by pancreatography (n=8). Immunohistochemical staining, with pancreatic polypeptide (PP), was performed in serially sliced specimens (n=3). The immunohistochemical and H&E staining were performed to evaluate the composition of the anatomical structures of the two differentially stained pancreas. RESULTS: What was presumed to be the embryological fusion plane was discovered between two differentially stained segments. This started just above the anterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery, directed to the posterior superior part of the pancreatic head and ended at the anterior surface of the distal common bile duct. The duct of Wirsung and the distal common bile duct were included in the posterior segment of the pancreas (ventral pancreas). There were two types of pancreatic duct arrangement, with the differences between the two types being; (1) the distance between the fusion point of the ventral and dorsal pancreatic ducts and the papilla of Vater, and (2) the stream of the Santorini duct. The branches of the pancreatic ducts were scattered over the entire pancreatic head region in multiple-directions. CONCLUSION: The fusion plane of the ventral and dorsal pancreas seems to initiate just above the anterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery, in a posterior-superior direction along the anterior surface of the distal common bile duct. A ventral pancreatectomy seems an impractical procedure with regard to the postoperative morbidity and operative difficulty, while a dorsal pancreatectomy seems to be more practical and feasible in its clinical aspects.

An immunohistochemical study of the gastrointestinal endocrine cells in the ddY mice

The distributions and frequencies of some endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of ddY mice were studied with immunohistochemical method using 7 types of antisera against bovine chromogranin (BCG), serotonin, gastrin, cholecystokinin (CCK)-8, somatostatin, glucagon and human pancreatic polypeptide (HPP). All of 7 types of immunoreactive (IR) cells were identified. Most of IR cells in the intestinal portion were generally spherical or spindle in shape (open typed cell) while cells showing round in shape (close typed cell) were found in the intestinal gland and stomach regions occasionally. Their relative frequencies were varied according to each portion of GI tract. BCG-IR cells were demonstrated throughout whole GI tract except for the cecum and they were most predominant in the fundus and pylorus. Serotonin-IR cells were detected throughout whole GI tract and they were most predominant cell types in this species of mice. Gastrin-IR cells were restricted to the pylorus and CCK-8-IR cells were demonstrated in the pylorus, duodenum and jejunum with numerous frequencies in the pylorus. Somatostatin-IR cells were detected throughout whole GI tract except for the cecum and rectum and they showed more numerous frequencies in the stomach regions. In addition, glucagon-IR cells were restricted to the fundus, duodenum and jejunum with rare frequencies, and HPP-IR cells were restricted to the rectum only with rare frequency. In conclusion, some strain-dependent unique distributional patterns of gastrointestinal endocrine cells were found in GI tract of ddY mice.

effect of breast feeding on plasma cholecystokinin in neonates

this prospective study was conducted to evaluate the effect of breast-feeding on cholecystokinin in neonates. this study was conducted in King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital. Plasma concentration of cholecystokinin [CCK] was estimated in 41 neonates [19 boys, 22 girls]. The study was done in the neonates on the third day after delivery. Serum CCK was estimated by radioimmunoassy. it was found that CCK rises immediately after breast feeding and declines 10 minutes later. CCK rises immediately after breast-feeding and declines 10 minutes later

Multiple Pancreatic Islet Cell Tumors with Diverse Hormonal Expression in a Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type I Patient: A Case Report

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type I is characterized by multiple tumors, particularly in the parathyroid glands, the pituitary gland and the pancreatic islet. We observed multiple pancreatic islet cell tumors with diverse hormonal expression in a MEN-I patient. The patient suffered from protracted diarrhea and multiple gastrododuodenal ulcers for 10 years. In abdominal computed tomography, space occupying lesions were detected in the distal pancreas. Distal pancreatectomy was done. Three tumors that measured 2.0 X 1.0 cm (A), 1.0 X 1.0 cm (B), and 1.0 X 0.5 cm (C) were discovered. Microscopic examination revealed another tumor, 1.0 X 0.5 cm (D). Microadenomas, less than 0.5 cm, were also found throughout the pancreas. Immunohistochemical stainings for insulin, pancreatic polypeptide, gastrin, glucagon, somatostain, and chromogranin were performed. Tumor A was trabecular and acinar in form and showed weak cytoplasmic reactivity to insulin. Tumor B was a gyriform and a few cells showed cytoplasmic reactivity to pancreatic polypeptide. Tumor C was trabecular in form and showed cytoplasmic reactivity to chromogranin. Direct invasion and distant metastasis were not found.

Immunohistochemical Study of the Pancreatic Endocrine Cells in the BALB/c mice: An Unique Distributional Pattern of Glucagon

The regional distribution and relative frequency of insulin-, glucagon-, somatostatin- and pancreatic polypeptide (PP)-producing endocrine cells in the pancreas of BALB/c mouse were investigated by immunohistochemical method. The pancreas of mice was divided into two portions; pancreatic islets and exocrine portions, and pancreatic islets were further subdivided into two regions (central and peripheral regions) and the relative frequency and regional distribution of immunoreactive cells against insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and PP antisera were monitored. In the pancreatic islet portions, insulin-immunoreactive cells were located in the central regions and they were randomly dispersed in the whole pancreatic islets in some case of the small islets. Quite different from those of other mammals, glucagon-immunoreactive cells were dispersed throughout central to peripheral regions in case of large islets and in the smaller ones, most of these cells were situated in the peripheral regions. Somatostatin-immunoreactive cells were detected in the peripheral regions with various frequencies. Although some cells were demonstrated in the central regions of pancreatic islets, most of PP-immunoreactive cells were located in the peripheral regions. In the exocrine portions, all four types of immunoreactive cells were demonstrated in the BALB/c mouse. Some peculiar distributional patterns of pancreatic endocrine cells were found in BALB/c mouse, especially in case of glucagon-immunoreactive cells.

Regional Distribution and Relative Frequency of Gastrointestinal Endocrine Cells in Large Intestines of C57BL/6 Mice

The regional distributions and relative frequencies of some gastrointestinal endocrine cells in the three portions (cecum, colon and rectum) of the large intestinal tract of C57BL/6 mice were examined with immunohistochemical method using 7 types of specific antisera against chromogranin A (CGA), serotonin, somatostatin, human pancreatic polypeptide (HPP), glucagon, gastrin and cholecyctokinin (CCK)-8. In this study, all 3 types of immunoreactive (IR) cells were identified. Most of these IR cells in the large intestinal portion were generally spherical or spindle in shape (open-typed cell) while cells with a round shape (close-typed cell) were found in the intestinal gland. Their relative frequencies varied according to each portion of the large intestinal tract. CGA-IR cells were found throughout the whole large intestinal tract but were most predominant in the colon. Serotonin-IR cells were detected throughout the whole large intestinal tract and showed highest frequency in the colon. Peculiarly, glucagon-IR cells were restricted to the colon with a low frequency. However, no somatostatin-, HPP-, gastrin- and CCK-8-IR cells were found in the large intestinal tract. In conclusion, some peculiar distributional patterns of large intestinal endocrine cells were identified in C57BL/6 mice.

Immunohistochemical Study of the Endocrine Cells in the Pancreas of the Carp,Cyprinus carpio (Cyprinidae)

The regional distribution and relative frequency of some endocrine cells in the pancreas of the carp, Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, belonging to the family Cyprinidae in the order Cypriniformes, were observed using specific mammalian antisera against insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and human pancreatic polypeptide (hPP) by peroxidase antiperoxidase (PAP) method. The pancreas was divided into four regions (principal and secondary islets, exocrine and pancreatic duct regions). In addition, the pancreatic islet regions were further subdivided into three regions (central, mantle and peripheral regions) and the pancreatic duct regions were subdivided into two regions (epithelial and subepithelial regions). Spherical to spindle or occasionally round to oval shaped immunoreactive (IR) cells were demonstrated in the pancreatic islets, exocrine and pancreatic duct. In the principal islet regions, some cells were also detected in the other regions, most of insulin- and somatostatin-IR cells were located in the central regions, and glucagon- and hPP-IR cells were situated in the peripheral regions. In this regions, insulin-IR cells were most predominant cell types and then, glucagon, somatostatin and hPP in that order. In the secondary islet regions, the regional distribution and relative frequency of these four types of endocrine cells were quite similar to those of the principal islets except for cell clusters consisted of hPP-IR cells that were situated in the peripheral to mantle regions. In the pancreatic duct regions, all four major pancreatic endocrine cells were demonstrated in the inter-epithelial cells and/or basal regions of the epithelial linning. In addition, cell clusters composed of numerous insulin-, moderate glucagon- and somatostatin-IR cells of low frequency were also observed in the subepithelial regions of the pancreatic duct. In the exocrine regions, insulin-, glucagon-, somatostatin- and hPP-IR cells were located in the inter-acinus regions with rare, a few, moderate and moderate frequencies, respectively. In conclusion, the regional distribution and relative frequency of four major pancreatic endocrine cells, insulin-, glucagon-, somatostatin- and hPP-IR cells, in the pancreas of the carp showed general patterns which were observed in other stomachless teleost. However, some species- dependent different distributional patterns and/or relative frequencies were also demonstrated.

An immunohistochemical Study on the Pancreatic Endocrine Cells of the C57BL/6 Mouse

The regional distribution and relative frequency of the pancreatic endocrine cells in the C57BL/6 mouse were studied by immunohistochemical method using four types of specific mammalian antisera against insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and human pancreatic polypeptide (PP). The pancreas of mouse could be divided into three portions; pancreatic islets, pancreatic duct and exocrine portions, and pancreatic islets were further subdivided into three regions (central, mantle and peripheral regions) according to their located types of immunoreactive cells and pancreatic duct portions were also subdivided into two regions (epithelial and connective tissue regions). In the pancreatic islet portions, although some cells were also demonstrated in the mantle regions, most of insulin-immunoreactive cells were located in the central regions and they were randomly dispersed in the whole pancreatic islets. Glucagon-immunoreactive cells were detected in the mantle and peripheral regions. Their relative frequencies in the peripheral regions were somewhat numerous than those of the mantle regions. Somatostatin-immunoreactive cells were detected in the mantle and peripheral regions. However, no PP-immunoreactive cells were demonstrated in the pancreatic islets of C57BL/6 mouse. In the pancreatic duct portions, rare glucagon-immunoreactive cells were situated in the epithelial regions. Cell clusters that consisted of glucagon- or somatostatin- immunoreactive cells were found in some case of connective tissue regions of pancreatic ducts. However, insulin- and PP-immunoreactive cells were not detected in the epithelial nor connective tissue regions. In the exocrine portions, all four types of immunoreactive cells except for PP cells were demonstrated in the C57BL/6 mouse. However, no PP-immunoreactive cells were demonstrated. In conclusion, regional distribution of endocrine cells in the pancreas of C57BL/6 mouse was similar to that of mammals, especially other rodents except for topographically different distribution of endocrine cells compared to that of other rodents.

Pancreatic polypeptide cells of rat pancreas after chronic ethanol feeding.

Male Wistar rats, (2 months old) were randomly divided into two groups according to the diet offered (C-control and E-ethanol treated rats). Final body weight was significantly increased but pancreatic weight as a percentage of body weight was decreased in ethanol treated rats. Volume density, number of pancreatic poly peptide (PP)-cells per islet and per micron 2 of islet were significantly increased. PP-cells were abundant and occupied the whole periphery of islets in the splenic part of the pancreas. Those cells showed strong immunopositivity. At the ultrastructural level PP granules had predominantly less electron density. The mean diameter of PP granules was significantly increased and the number of granules of larger diameter was greater in the E group of rats, than in the controls.

Morphological study of neuropeptide Y immunoreactive neurons (NPY-IR) of telencephalon in developing chick / 대한해부학회지

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) was a 36-amino acid peptide that biochemical structure to be resemble the pancreatic polypeptide in mammalian and it was first isolated from porcine brain by Tatemoto et al. (1982). It is now known to neurotransmitter or neuromodulator as well as it has important effects to sexual precocity, regulation of feeding behavior and function of pituitary gland in avians. The distribution and morphological study of NPY-immunoreactive neurons (NPY-IR) is studied in many experimental animal but in developing chick brain have been not studied. The present study provided the distribution and morphological study of NPY-IR in developing chick brain. The developing brain of Korean native chicks embryos at E8, E10, E12, E14, E16, E18, and E20 days of incubation were used. Experimental animals were perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde through the left ventricle and aorta. The brains were removed and transferred 30% sucrose, and then cut on a cryostat into 60 mm-thick. The tissue immunostained with free-floating and avidin-biotin complex (ABC) method. The results obtained in this study are that followings. The numerous of NPY-IR first observed at E8 days in the telencephalon of neostriatum, ectostriatum, archistriatum intermedium pars ventralis, nucleus taeniae and paleostriatum agumentatum, at E12 days in telencephalon of hippocampus, at E14 days in telencephalon of hyperstriatum. In the telencephalon, NPY-IR distributed predominantly in neostriatum and ectostriatum. shape of neuron's that E8 days of incubation were oval shape neurons and increased days of chicks was sphere, oval and many multigonal shapes. Their processes were also omnidirectional. The process of neuron's that E8 days of incubation was observed a few and weak immunity and increased days of chicks was numerous and strong immunity. According to increasing the days the morphology of NPY-IR showed the tendency to increase their sizes and numbers. We suggest that the regional differences in the distribution of NPY-containing neuron types may reflect adaptations of local neuronal circuits for specialized functions.

An immunohistochemical study on the pancreatic islets cells of the Mongolian gerbils, Meriones unguiculatus

In order to study the regional distribution and relative frequency of the immunoreactive endocrine cells in the pancreatic islets of the Mongolian gerbil, pancreatic sections of Meriones unguiculatus were immunostained using an immunohistochemical (PAP) method with four types of specific antisera against insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and human pancreatic polypeptide (PP). The pancreatic islets were subdivided into three portions (central region, mantle zone and peripheral region) according to their composition of immunoreactive cells. Spherical to spindle shaped insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and PP-immunoreactive cells were observed in this study. Insulin-immunoreactive cells were present in the central regions with high frequency, and a few of these cells were also demonstrated in the mantle zones. Glucagon-immunoreactive cells were mainly restricted to the mantle zones. However, rare examples were found in the peripheral regions. As for the glucagon-immunoreactive cells, somatostatin-immunoreactive cells were detected in the mantle zones and peripheral regions with moderate and rare frequencies, respectively. PP-immunoreactive cells were found in the mantle zones and peripheral regions with rare and moderate frequencies, respectively. In the mantle and the peripheral regions, cytoplasmic process of glucagon-, somatostatin- and PP-immunoreactive cells were intermingled. In conclusion, the regional distribution of endocrine cells in the pancreatic islets of Mongolian gerbil was found to be similar to that of other mammals, especially other rodents, except for the topographical different distribution of somatostatin which differs that of other rodents.

Comparative study of endocrine cells in the principal pancreatic islets of two teleosts, Silurus asotus (Siluridae) and Siniperca scherzeri (Centropomidae)

The regional distribution and relative frequency of some endocrine cells in the principal pancreatic islets of two teleosts, Silurus asotus Linne (Siluridae) and Siniperca scherzeri Steindachner (Centropomidae), which have similar feeding habits, were observed using specific antisera against insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and bovine pancreatic polypeptide (bovine PP) using the peroxidase antiperoxidase (PAP) method. Spherical to spindle shaped cells were demonstrated in the principal pancreatic islets in both species of teleost fishes. However, they were not detected in the exocrine portions nor the pancreatic ducts. Insulin-immunoreactive cells were located in the central regions of the principal pancreatic islets at high frequency in both species. Glucagonimmunoreactive cells were restricted to the peripheral regions of the principal pancreatic islets in both species. They formed a mantle zone in the peripheral regions of Silurus asotus with moderate frequency, and occupied a narrower mantle zone in Siniperca scherzeri with moderate frequency. In addition, glucagonimmunoreactive cell cores were also found in the peripheral zone of some principal pancreatic islets of Siniperca scherzeri. Somatostatin-immunoreactive cells were dispersed in the central zone of the principal pancreatic islets of Silurus asotus with moderate frequency, but were located in the peripheral regions with low frequency in Siniperca scherzeri. Bovine PPimmunoreactive cells were found in the peripheral region and the mantle zone of the principal pancreatic islets with low and rare frequency, respectively in both species. In conclusion, the regional distribution and relative frequency of endocrine cells in the principal pancreatic islets of Silurus asotus showed general patterns similar to those of other teleostean fishes. But, some speciesdependent distributional patterns and/or relative frequencies, particularly in glucagon-, somatostatin- and bovine PP-immunoreactive cells, were detected in the principal pancreatic islets of Siniperca scherzeri