Expression of neuropeptides and growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) in cutaneous and mucosal nerve structures of the adult rat lower lip after mental nerve section.

The reinnervation of the adult rat lower lip has been investigated after unilateral section of the mental nerve. Rats were sacrificed at 4, 7, 9, 14, 30, and 90 days after the operation. A further group of animals with section of the mental nerve and block of the alveolar nerve regeneration, was sacrificed at 14 days. Specimens were processed for immunocytochemistry with antibodies against PGP 9.5, GAP-43 or neuropeptides (CGRP, SP and VIP). Four days after nerve section, axonal degeneration seems evident in the mental nerve branches and inside skin and mucosa. GAP-43 immunoreactivity is intense in the mental nerve 7 days after nerve section and it reaches its maximal expression and distribution in peripheral nerve fibres at 14 days. At 30 days, the decline in its expression is associated with the increase of PGP9.5-, SP-, and CGRP immunopositivity. VIP is observed only in perivascular fibres at all times observed. Present results suggest that, after sensory denervation of the rat lip, nerve fibres in skin and mucosa remain at lower density than normal. The different time courses in the expression of neuropeptides and GAP-43 suggest a possible early involvement of GAP-43 in peripheral nerve regeneration.     

自体移植脾组织内GAP-43神经的生成机制

为探索自体移植脾组织内GAP-43神经的再生机制,将Wistar大鼠42只随机分为实验组和对照组。实验组切除脾脏以后,切取1／2脾脏,切成1 mm×1 mm×1 mm大小的组织块植入大网膜内,术后7、14、30、60、90、120、180 d取脾组织标本通过原位杂交检测GAP-43 mRNA、NGF mRNA和TrkA mRNA,同时进行免疫组化染色观察GAP-43神经。对照组手术松动脾脏,在术后相同时间点取脾组织作对照观察。结果显示:术后30 d检测到移植脾组织内有GAP-43 mRNA、NGF mRNA和TrkA mRNA表达,90 d达高峰后开始下降;术后60 d明显可见GAP~43染色阳性神经纤维,90 d密度最大,主要存在于血管周围,以后无明显改变。结果提示:自体移植脾组织内GAP-43神经再生与内源性NGF和TrkA表达密切相关。     

Nerve fibres in peritoneal endometriosis

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is a gynaecological disease that can be associated with severe pelvic pain; however, the mechanisms by which pain is generated remain unknown. METHODS: Peritoneal endometriotic lesions and normal peritoneum were prepared from women with and without endometriosis (n = 40 and 36, respectively). Specimens were also prepared from endosalpingiosis lesions (n = 9). These sections were stained immunohistochemically with antibodies against protein gene product 9.5, neurofilament (NF), nerve growth factor (NGF), NGF receptor p75 (NGFRp75), substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), acetylcholine (ACh) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) to demonstrate myelinated, unmyelinated, sensory, cholinergic and adrenergic nerve fibres. RESULTS: There were significantly more nerve fibres identified in peritoneal endometriotic lesions than in normal peritoneum (P < 0.001) or endosalpingiosis lesions (P < 0.001). These nerve fibres were SP, CGRP, ACh or TH immunoreactive. Many of these markers were co-localized. There was an intense NGF immunoreactivity near endometriotic glands, and NGFRp75 immunoreactive nerve fibres were present near endometriotic glands and blood vessels in the peritoneal endometriotic lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Peritoneal endometriotic lesions were innervated by sensory Adelta, sensory C, cholinergic and adrenergic nerve fibres. These nerve fibres may play an important role in the mechanisms of pain generation in this condition.     

JNK信号转导通路在NGF抗6-OHDA诱导PC12细胞凋亡中的作用

目的： 以6-羟基多巴胺(6-OHDA)作用于大鼠肾上腺嗜铬细胞瘤细胞(PC12 cells)以诱导其凋亡,然后在其中分别加入神经生长因子（NGF）及c-Jun氨基端激酶（JNK）阻断剂SP600125,研究在加入NGF后JNK的活性与凋亡的关系。方法: 实验分为对照组、6-OHDA组、NGF组、6-OHDA+NGF组、6-OHDA+JNK阻断剂SP600125组,以流式细胞分析法检测各组PC12细胞的凋亡率,以免疫印迹（Western blotting）法检测各组PC12细胞JNK的活化情况。结果: 6-OHDA导致PC12细胞凋亡,JNK1活性提高;预孵SP600125或NGF15min后再加入6-OHDA则PC12细胞凋亡率及JNK1活性均降低。结论: JNK1参与了6-OHDA致PC12细胞凋亡作用,NGF抗6-OHDA所诱导的PC12细胞凋亡作用与其抑制JNK的活化有关。     

Treatment of the neuromuscular junction with 4-aminopyridine results in improved reinnervation following nerve injury in neonatal rats

During early postnatal development, nerve injury results in the death of a large proportion of motoneurones and poor recovery of muscle function. Our previous results have shown that premature enhancement of transmitter release from nerve terminals prevents the death of motoneurones following neonatal nerve injury. Whether this increase in motoneurone survival is reflected in an improvement in the reinnervation of muscle was studied here. The muscles in one hindlimb of newborn rats were treated with 4-aminopyridine. Three days later, the sciatic nerve was crushed in the treated leg. When the animals were seven, 14 and 21days of age, the soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles were removed and processed for GAP-43 (a 43-kDa growth-associated protein) and synaptophysin immunocytochemistry. Both GAP-43 and synaptophysin were expressed in normal soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles at seven days. Synaptophysin was still expressed at 14 days, but GAP-43 expression had declined. Following nerve injury at three days of age, there was no GAP-43 or synaptophysin immunoreactivity in nerve terminals at seven days. By 21 days, there were 17.3+/-2.1 GAP-43-positive terminals per section in the soleus and 17.7+/-1.4 in the extensor digitorum longus, with mean terminal areas of 47.5+/-3.3 and 49.8+/-2.6 microm(2), respectively. In animals in which nerve crush was preceded by 4-aminopyridine treatment, at 21 days there were 32.9+/-2.6 GAP-43-immunoreactive terminals in the soleus and 44.9+/-2.3 in the extensor digitorum longus, with a mean area of 122.7+/-6.6 microm(2) in the soleus and 136.2+/-9.7 microm(2) in the extensor digitorum longus. These results indicate that in muscles pretreated with 4-aminopyridine, prior to nerve crush at three days, there are significantly more terminals, which occupy a larger area than in untreated muscles. Thus, increasing transmitter release prior to nerve injury significantly improved the ability of axons to reinnervate muscle.     

GAP-43 and p75NGFR immunoreactivity in presynaptic cells following neuromuscular blockade by botulinum toxin in rat

Summary Peripheral nerve lesion results in changes in protein expression by neurons and denervated Schwann cells. In the present study we have addressed the question whether similar changes take place following functional denervation. Using immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy we examined changes in growth-associated protein (GAP-43) and low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor (p75^NGFR) in rat gastrocnemius muscle following botulinum toxin-induced paralysis. GAP-43 and p75^NGFR were selected because they are not expressed by mature intact motor neurons or Schwann cells, but are expressed following nerve lesion in both motor neurons and denervated Schwann cells. In control muscle, GAP-43 and p75^NGFR immunoreactivity was seen only in nerve fibres near blood vessels. Two weeks after toxin injection, GAP-43 immunoreactivity could be seen at the motor endplates and in axons. Intensity of staining increased with longer survival and reached a peak between 4 and 8 weeks post-injection. Ultrastructurally, GAP-43 immunoreactivity was confined to nerve terminals and axons, whereas Schwann cells remained negative. Immunostaining for p75^NGFR also increased following toxin injection and was detected in some terminal Schwann cells and in perineurial cells of small nerve fascicles near the paralyzed target cells, but not in axons. These results show that changes in expression of GAP-43 in motor neurons following functional denervation closely resemble the changes following anatomical interruption of nerve-muscle contact. GAP-43 was not expressed in Schwann cells, indicating that its upregulation in these cells is induced by loss of axonal contact or nerve degeneration products. There is no support for a role of p75^NGFR in incorporation of neurotrophins in axons. The restriction of p75^NGFR expression to terminal Schwann cells and perineurial cells in close proximity to the paralyzed target suggests a role for a target-derived signal or, alternatively, macrophages in eliciting this expression.     

Promoting regeneration of peripheral nerves in-vivo using new PCL-NGF/Tirofiban nerve conduits

Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds were modified by grafting nerve growth factor (NGF) and Tirofiban (TF), a clinical anti-thrombosis drug, as a new biomaterial for producing nerve conduits to promote the regeneration of sciatic nerves. The successful grafting of NGF and TF onto PCL scaffolds was confirmed by FTIR and ESCA spectra. In-vitro growths of the PC12 cells in PCL-NGF and PCL-NGF/TF scaffolds, determined by MTS, were significantly higher (P < 0.05, n = 4) than those in the PCL scaffolds following three days of cultivation. Interestingly, this study evaluation of the PCL, PCL-NGF, and PCL-NGF/TF nerve conduits in a 12 mm long gap of the rat sciatic nerve defect model that the gastrocnemius muscle mass of the tested rats in the PCL-NGF/TF groups significantly exceeded those in the PCL-NGF and PCL group. In the rats that had been implanted with PCL-NGF/TF conduits, the generated nerves passed through those conduits, expressing beta-III tubulin (TB), growth association protein-43 (GAP-43) and myelin basic protein (MBP) along their longitudinal axis, and the proximal and distal nerve ends of the rats were successfully connected. Those that had been implanted with PCL and PCL-NGF conduits did not exhibit these effects, as revealed by an immunochemical study of the expressions of the proteins in the conduits. Moreover, counting within the dorsal horn of the spinal cord (C(5)) demonstrated that the numbers of CTB-HRP-labeled neurons in the rats that had been implanted with PCL-NGF/TF conduits were significantly higher than those in the other groups. In this study, in-vivo examinations of the use of newly designed PCL-NGF/TF conduits to promote the generation of nerves in a defective rat model significantly increased the gastrocnemius muscle mass, and led to the successful regeneration of nerves that bridged a 12 mm long defected gap of nerves in rats. However, more rats must be tested to confirm the efficacy the newly designed nerve conduits.     

Development of sensory innervation in rat tibia: co-localization of CGRP and substance P with growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43)

The development of sensory innervation in long bones was investigated in rat tibia in fetuses on gestational days (GD) 16-21 and in neonates and juvenile individuals on postnatal days (PD) 1-28. A double immunostaining method was applied to study the co-localization of the neuronal growth marker growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) and the pan-neuronal marker protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) as well as that of two sensory fibre-associated neuropeptides, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP). The earliest, not yet chemically coded, nerve fibres were observed on GD17 in the perichondrium of the proximal epiphysis. Further development of the innervation was characterized by the successive appearance of nerve fibres in the perichondrium/periosteum of the shaft (GD19), the bone marrow cavity and intercondylar eminence (GD21), the metaphyses (PD1), the cartilage canals penetrating into the epiphyses (PD7), and finally in the secondary ossification centres (PD10) and epiphyseal bone marrow (PD14). Maturation of the fibres, manifested by their immunoreactivity for CGRP and SP, was visible on GD21 in the epiphyseal perichondrium, the periosteum of the shaft and the bone marrow, on PD1 in the intercondylar eminence and the metaphyses, on PD7 in the cartilage canals, on PD10 in the secondary ossification centres and on PD14 in the epiphyseal bone marrow. The temporal and topographic pattern of nerve fibre appearance corresponds with the development of regions characterized by active mineralization and bone remodelling, suggesting a possible involvement of the sensory innervation in these processes.     

GAP-43 immunoreactivity is widespread in the autonomic neurons and sensory neurons of the rat.

GAP-43 is a membrane-bound phosphoprotein generally associated with axon growth during development and regeneration. Using immunohistochemical and immunoblotting techniques this study shows that GAP-43 is expressed extensively in the unperturbed adult autonomic nervous system. Strong immunoreactivity was seen in the developing and mature enteric subdivision of the autonomic nervous system and in nerves of the iris and various blood vessels. The presence of GAP-43 immunoreactivity in varicose nerve fibres, and a comparison of the labelling pattern of GAP-43 with the nerve associated marker PGP 9.5 suggests that GAP-43 is present in most or all autonomic nerve fibres in these organs. Immunoblotting of gut samples on 10% polyacrylamide gels revealed a single band of approximately 45,000 mol. wt that co-migrated with pure central nervous system GAP-43. Surgical sympathectomy experiments resulting in almost complete elimination of sympathetic fibres did not markedly affect the pattern of GAP-43 immunoreactivity in the iris, indicating that GAP-43 is expressed not only in sympathetic nerves but also in parasympathetic and sensory fibres. These findings show that GAP-43 is expressed extensively in autonomic nerves of the adult rat, at levels comparable to those seen during development. High levels of GAP-43 are not therefore restricted to development and regeneration in this part of the nervous system.     

大鼠自体移植脾组织GAP-43+神经再生的实验研究

目的 研究大鼠自体脾组织移植术后移植脾组织GAP-43^ 神经纤维再生及分布规律。方法 健康Wistar大鼠105只，随机分为自体脾组织移植组和对照组，于术后7、15、30、60、90、120、180d取移植脾组织标本，应用免疫组化方法显示GAP-43^ 神经纤维，并用图像分析系统，对不同时相点免疫组化GAP-43^ 染色区域进行图像定量分析。结果 自体脾组织移植术后30d，移植脾组织周围大网膜内可见GAP-43^ 神经纤维，并向移植脾组织内伸展；自体脾组织移植术后60～120d，移植脾组织内再生神经纤维逐渐增多；术后180d，移植脾组织中GAP-43^ 神经纤维分布及密度接近正常。结论GAP-43^ 神经纤维于脾移植术后60d开始出现，术后180dGAP-43^ 神经纤维接近正常脾。     

Age-related changes and the possible adaptability of rat jaw muscle spindles: immunohistochemical and fine structural studies

Afferent signals from jaw muscle spindles contribute to the feedback mechanism that regulates mastication. The integrity and adaptability of this proprioceptor to age-related changes of the surrounding structures are therefore essential to maintain an appropriate masticatory function throughout life. In this study, we examined muscle spindles obtained from temporal and masseter muscles of 10-week-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month-old Wistar rats, employing immunohistochemistry for protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) or growth-associated protein (GAP-43) in addition to transmission electron microscopy, in order to investigate their morphological changes in relation to the effect of aging on the adaptive potential of the receptors. Immunohistochemistry for PGP 9.5 showed virtually similar reactions at sensory nerve terminals in all age groups. On the other hand, immunoreactivity for GAP-43 in the sensory nerve ending of the muscle spindles was found 2 and 3 weeks after birth but became almost undetectable by 10 weeks. However GAP-43 immunoreactions occasionally reappeared in those of spindles in 12- and 18-month old animals, and vanished again by 24 months of age. Electron microscopic observations also revealed age-related morphological changes in the intrafusal muscle fibers of the rats in 12-month and older groups. The extent of degenerative and/or atrophic alterations of intrafusal fibers increased with age and involved the nerve elements of spindles by 24 months. These findings indicate that the adaptation potential of rat jaw muscle spindles is well preserved until middle age, but diminishes in elderly animals. Structural changes of muscle spindles in elderly animals probably contribute to the deterioration of the muscular function.     

Sensitisation of articular afferents in normal and inflamed knee joints by substance P in the rat

To examine whether substance P (SP) influences the response properties of fine articular afferents in normal and acutely inflamed joints, single units were recorded from the rat knee during normal and noxious joint rotations. Only three of 39 units were activated by a single bolus injection of 0.1 mM SP. However, 35% (7/20) of the nerve fibres from the normal joint and 21% (4/19) of the units from the inflamed joint significantly increased their responses to movements after the SP injection. This was most prominent during noxious movements in normal joints, whereas in inflamed joints increase of responses occurred mainly during normal movements. These data indicate that SP may also be involved in the process of sensitisation of primary afferents during an inflammation.     

神经生长因子对谷氨酸介导的基底核神经元损伤的保护作用

本研究的目的是观察神经生长因子(nerve growth factor,NGF)对谷氨酸诱导的基底核神经元损伤的保护作用。取出生后1d乳鼠前脑基底核神经元培养,随机分为正常对照组、模型组(谷氨酸损伤组)和NGF保护组。用倒置相差显微镜进行活细胞观察,采用RT-PCR技术检测前脑基底核神经元的神经生长相关蛋白-43(growth associated protein-43,GAP-43)的表达。结果显示谷氨酸损伤组神经元胞体回缩,突起消失或断裂。NGF保护组的神经元绝大多数胞体饱满,突起明显,细胞间的网络联系仍清晰可见,接近于正常对照组;NGF保护组神经元内GAP-43mRNA表达比谷氨酸损伤组高,两者比较有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结果提示,NGF能保护基底核神经元免受谷氨酸兴奋性毒性的损伤。     

Fructose- 1,6-bisphosphate did not affect hippocampal neuronal damage caused by 10 min of complete umbilical cord occlusion in fetal sheep

The participation of the nerve termini growth associated protein GAP-43 in neurite outgrowth and targeting is well documented. Commonly, besides GAP-43 itself, two big fragments devoid of four (GAP-43-2, IB-50) and of about 40 (GAP-43-3, B-60) N-terminal residues were co-isolated from brain. In adult brain, GAP-43 significantly prevails over the fragments. To find their relative amounts during development, rat brain proteins were isolated on different stages of embryonal and post-natal development and subjected to gel electrophoresis in 0.9 M acetic acid-2.5 M urea system. The bands of GAP-43 protein family were detected on Western blots. We show that in developing brain (until 5th post-natal day), a proteolysis of GAP-43 near Ser(41) that results in GAP-43-3 accumulation is activated. We hypothesize that just the functions that can be performed by the GAP-43 fragments are of importance for developing brain.     

Nerve growth factor and substance P regulation in nasal sensory neurons after toluene diisocyanate exposure

Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) exposure produces rhinitis and nasal irritation, and increases the synthesis and release of substance P (SP) from airway sensory nerves. The mechanism leading to enhanced SP production following irritant inhalation remains unclear, but may involve actions of nerve growth factor (NGF). NGF binds trkA receptors located on sensory nerve terminals. Activation of trkA receptors initiates kinase-signaling cascades, which ultimately may increase SP. However, the effects of inhaled irritants on NGF release are not known. In this study, NGF levels in nasal lavages were examined following instillation of 10% TDI into both nasal cavities. NGF was significantly increased 2, 6, 12, and 24 h after TDI exposure compared with controls. The increase in NGF preceded the neuronal and mucosal increases in SP. Pretreatment with K252a, a nonselective tyrosine-kinase inhibitor, prevented the increase in SP-immunoreactivity in TG neurons and epithelial nerve fibers and the inflammatory response to TDI exposure. Because NGF binds to trkA tyrosine-kinase receptors, the NGF released during TDI exposure may mediate SP upregulation in airway sensory neurons, innervating the nasal cavity.     

Substance P-like immunoreactivity in cultured spinal ganglia from chick embryos

Summary The localization of substance P (SP) or a SP-like peptide in cultured spinal ganglia from chick embryos was studied by the indirect immunofluorescence technique. Ganglia from 8–16 days old chick embryos and from newly hatched chickens were cultured in a control medium or in the presence of nerve growth factor (NGF). Addition of colchicine and exposure to different explanted peripheral tissues were also tried. Ganglia from the younger embryos (8–12 days) cultured for 24 h with added NGF showed a weak SP-like immunoreactivity (SPLI) in some cell bodies and strong specific immunofluorescence in nerve fibres growing out from the ganglia. In spinal ganglia of the older embryos (14 and 16 days) and newly hatched chickens cultured with and without NGF the concentration of SPLI in the cell bodies was considerably higher. Addition of colchicine to spinal ganglia cultured 12 h in NGF-medium, resulted in retraction of nerve fibres and strongly fluorescent, expanded nerve fibres were observed in peripheral parts of the ganglia. Explants of skin placed near the spinal ganglia stimulated the outgrowth of fibres, some of them containing SPLI. A few fluorescent fibres were also seen within the skin explants. Also heart tissue explants stimulated outgrowth of nerve fibres, but innervation of these explants with SPLI-containing nerves could not be observed. Nerve fibre-extension from the spinal ganglia was not stimulated by spinal cord explants. The present results support the existence of SP-containing primary sensory neurons in chickens.     

Growth-associated protein-43 is elevated in the injured rat sciatic nerve after low power laser irradiation

Low power laser irradiation (LPLI) has been used in the treatment of peripheral nerve injury. In this study, we verified its therapeutic effect on neuronal regeneration by finding elevated immunoreactivities (IRs) of growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43), which is up-regulated during neuronal regeneration. Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats received a standardized crush injury of the sciatic nerve, mimicking the clinical situations accompanying partial axonotmesis. The injured nerve received calculated LPLI therapy immediately after injury and for 4 consecutive days thereafter. The walking movements of the animals were scored using the sciatic functional index (SFI). In the laser treated rats, the SFI level was higher in the laser treated animals at 3-4 weeks while the SFIs of the laser treated and untreated rats reached normal levels at 5 weeks after surgery. In immunocytochemical study, although GAP-43 IRs increased both in the untreated control and the LPLI treated groups after injury, the number of GAP-43 IR nerve fibers was much more increased in the LPLI group than those in the control group. The elevated numbers of GAP-43 IR nerve fibers reached a peak 3 weeks after injury, and then declined in both the untreated control and the LPLI groups at 5 weeks, with no differences in the numbers of GAP-43 IR nerve fibers of the two groups at this stage. This immunocytochemical study using GAP-43 antibody study shows for the first time that LPLI has an effect on the early stages of the nerve recovery process following sciatic nerve injury.     

扬子鳄大肠和输尿管的神经肽分布

目的:观察扬子鳄大肠的神经肽Y（neuropeptide Y,NPY）、血管活性肠肽（vasoactive intestinal peptide,VIP）和输尿管的P物质（substance P,SP）、血管活性肠肽分布。方法:免疫荧光方法。结果:扬子鳄大肠的NPY和VIP免疫反应（NPY-and VIP-immunoreactive,NPY和VIP-IR）阳性神经纤维皆呈弯曲的细线状,主要位于粘膜下层,其次为浅部肌层,且在粘膜下层NPY-IR神经纤维交织成密集的神经丛;VIP-IR神经纡维在粘膜下层构成稀疏的网络状。输尿管的SP免疫反应（SP-immunoreactive,SP-IR）和VIP-IR神经纤维均呈点线状;其中,SP-IR神经纤维位于外膜层,较稀疏,VIP-IR神经纤维位于肌层,较密集,纤维间可见两个近似圆形的VIP-IR阳性神经细胞体。结论:扬子鳄大肠和输尿管分别存在有NPY、VIP和SP、VIP神经分布。     

重组水蛭素对大鼠坐骨神经损伤后神经功能的影响及可能机制

目的探讨重组水蛭素对大鼠坐骨神经损伤后神经功能的影响及对坐骨神经微管相关蛋白-2(MAP-2)、神经丝蛋白(NF-M)与生长相关蛋白43(GAP-43)蛋白表达的影响。方法 60只SD大鼠,雌雄不限,随机分为随机分为假手术组、实验组与重组水蛭素处理组。通过钳夹大鼠坐骨神经制备周围神经损伤大鼠模型,对各组大鼠进行坐骨神经指数与小腿三头肌湿重比测定,western blot方法检测坐骨神经MAP-2、NF-M与GAP-43的表达,Real time-PCR方法检测坐骨神经MAP-2 mRNA、NF-M mRNA与GAP-43 mRNA的表达水平。结果给予重组水蛭素处理后,坐骨神经损伤大鼠的坐骨神经指数明显升高,小腿三头肌湿重比减小(P<0.05);坐骨神经MAP-2、NF-M与GAP-43蛋白与mRNA的表达升高(P<0.05)。结论重组水蛭素能促进周围神经损伤后再生和功能恢复,其机制可能与上调MAP-2、NF-M与GAP-43表达相关。     

血管周肾上腺素能神经密度与管壁组成成分的关系

本文应用组织化学技术和电镜方法对家兔、豚鼠和大鼠血管周的肾上腺素能神经密度与管壁组成成分的关系进行了观察。实验结果证明,血管周神经分布于外膜层,中膜内未见有神经分布,肌性动脉(以肠系膜动脉为代表)较弹性动脉(以颈总动脉为代表)的血管周神经密度和含膨体数都较高。神经肌肉间隔近(0.05—3微米),最近者神经与肌肉间除基板外无其它组织成分。弹性动脉神经肌肉间隔较远(1—12微米),神经肌肉间隔以外弹力膜、成纤维细胞和板层状的结缔组织。股动脉和肾动脉周的神经分布特点介于上二者之间。静脉较相应动脉神经分布稀疏。但也存在部位的特殊性和种属差异性。如脐动脉虽属肌性动脉,但动脉周并无神经分布,豚鼠肾动脉周的神经密度远较兔及大鼠稀疏。作者认为血管周的神经密度与血管壁中平滑肌的含量有关。本文并对肌性动脉周神经分布致密的原因,不同类型动脉的神经分布特点与生理功能的关系进行了讨论。