Neurochemical coding of the enteric nervous system in chagasic patients with megacolon

Neuronal destruction has been considered the hallmark of pathogenic mechanisms in chagasic megacolon. Characterization of neuropeptides in the enteric nervous system from chagasic patients with megacolon could elucidate some aspects of the development of this syndrome. In the present work we demonst...

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Published in:Digestive diseases and sciences 2007-10, Vol.52 (10), p.2877-2883
Main Authors: DA SILVEIRA, A. B. M, D'AVILA REIS, D, DE OLIVEIRA, E. C, NETO, S. G, LUQUETTI, A. O, POOLE, D, CORREA-OLIVEIRA, R, FURNESS, J. B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Chagas Disease - classification
Chagas Disease - complications
Chagas Disease - metabolism
Colon - innervation
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen
Human protozoal diseases
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Infectious diseases
Male
Medical sciences
Megacolon - classification
Megacolon - etiology
Megacolon - metabolism
Microscopy, Confocal
Middle Aged
Neuropeptides - metabolism
Other diseases. Semiology
Parasitic diseases
Protozoal diseases
Severity of Illness Index
Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus
Submucous Plexus - chemistry
Trypanosoma cruzi
Trypanosomiasis
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Summary:Neuronal destruction has been considered the hallmark of pathogenic mechanisms in chagasic megacolon. Characterization of neuropeptides in the enteric nervous system from chagasic patients with megacolon could elucidate some aspects of the development of this syndrome. In the present work we demonstrate the changes in expression of neuropeptides and neurochemical markers present in neuronal plexuses from the colons of chagasic patients with megacolon. Sections of frozen tissue samples were immunohistochemically labeled for anticalretinin, cChaT, substance P, VIP, NOS, and NPY. Immunoreactivity was observed using a confocal microscope. Our results demonstrate that in chagasic patients with megacolon, inhibitory motor neurons (VIP and NOS immunoreactive) are preferentially destroyed by Trypanosoma cruzi and/or the inflammatory process. These results suggest a selective destruction of enteric neurons in the colon of chagasic patients with megacolon, pointing to an important discovery in the mechanism of pathogenesis of Chagas' disease.
ISSN:0163-2116
1573-2568
DOI:10.1007/s10620-006-9680-5