THE EXPRESSION OF THE VANILLOID RECEPTOR SUBTYPE 1 IN AFFERENT FIBERS OF THE RAT ESOPHAGUS / 解剖学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the expression of the capsaicin receptor,vanilloid receptor subtype 1(VR1) immunoreactivity,their morphology and distribution in afferent fibers of rat esophagus. Methods Laser scanning confocal microscope combined with immunohistochemical double labeling methods were used. Results VRl-like immunoreactivity was observed on nerve fibers and terminalis within mucosa,submucosa,muscle layer and surrounding blood vessel throughout esophagus.Their profiles were fine fibers with some spiny,possessing varicose-like swellings along their lengths.About(92.3?3.7)% VR1 positive fibers co-localized with CGRP immunoreactivity,which representing large majority of afferent fibers in the esophagus was extrinsic in origin with cell bodies located in dorsal root ganglia.In dorsal root ganglion,VR1 was expressed in small-and middle-sized cell bodies.About(41.5?4.5)% VRl-immunoreactive neurons co-stained with CGRP and(67.9?3.2)% CGRP positive neurons co-localized with VR1.In nodose ganglion,the expression of VR1 was similar with dorsal root ganglion,but CGRP immunoreactive neurons very few.Only(4.7?1.4)% VR1 positive neurons co-stained with CGRP.Conclusion These results suggest that VR1 is expressed in afferent fibers in the wall of the rat esophagus which is in origin in dorsal root ganglion.