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Nitrergic innervation and nitrergic cells in arteriovenous anastomoses
1Anatomisches Institut (Lehrstuhl I), Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany.
Cell and Tissue Research
|September 1, 1994
Summary
Nitric oxide plays a role in regulating blood vessel tone in arteriovenous anastomoses. This is achieved through nitrergic nerves or specialized epithelioid cells in various species.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Neuroscience
- Histology
Background:
- Arteriovenous anastomoses (AVAs) are crucial for regulating blood flow.
- The role of nitric oxide (NO) in AVA function is not fully understood.
- Nitrergic innervation and cells in AVAs require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and distribution of nitrergic innervation and nitrergic epithelioid cells in AVAs.
- To explore the potential role of NO in mediating vessel tone in AVAs across different species.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry for nitric oxide synthase (NOS).
- Enzyme histochemistry using the NADPH-diaphorase reaction.
- Transmission electron microscopy.
- Studied AVAs in rat, rabbit, dog, and human tissues (tongue, ear, eye, finger glomus).
Main Results:
- Nitrergic perivascular fibers were abundant in tongue AVAs, concentrated along arteries and at AVAs.
- Fewer nitrergic fibers were observed in eye and ear vasculature, and human finger glomus.
- NADPH-diaphorase-positive and NOS-immunoreactive epithelioid cells were found in the tunica media of AVAs in ear, eye, and finger glomus.
- Epithelioid cells were confirmed as myocytotic, not neural or neuroendocrine, in origin.
Conclusions:
- Nitric oxide synthase is present in both nitrergic nerves and epithelioid cells within AVAs.
- Epithelioid cells in AVAs are a source of nitric oxide, potentially regulating vessel tone.
- NO likely plays a significant role in modulating AVA vascular tone through neural and cellular mechanisms.