DISTRIBUTION OF NEUROPEPTIDE Y IMMUNOREACTIVE FIBERS IN THE SPLEEN OF RAT / 解剖学报

ABSTRACT

The distribution of neuropeptide Yimmunoreactive (NPY-IR) fibers in the spleen of rat was investigated by using the immunohistochemical ABC method combine with glucose oxidase-DAB-nikel enhancement technique. The results demonstrated that the rat spleen is richly innervated by NPY-IR fibers. The NPY immunoreactive nerve fibers are mainly distributed along the branches of the arteries, especially surrounding the central arterioles. They are also observed in the connective tissue capsule, the lymphoid tissue of the white pulp, red pulp and marginal zone and around the splenic sinusoid. The positive fibers are closely related to the blood vessels and lymphocytes in the spleen, which suggested that these fibers may regulate the development and function of splenic lymphocytes. NPY may have a direct or an indirect effect on regulating blood circulation of the spleen and the lymphocytes.