Nerve cell density in submucous plexus throughout the gut of cat and opossum

Quantitative differences in submucous plexus density were sought in cat and opossum gut by examining full-thickness whole mounts of the submucosa stained with silver, and counting ganglia per square centimeter and nerve cell bodies per ganglion in order to compute density of innervation (nerve cell bodies per square centimeter). In the cat, the nerve cell bodies per square centimeter in the 12 named regions were as follows: proximal esophagus, 0; mid-esophagus, 0; distal esophagus, 0; fundus, 84; gastric antrum, 18; duodenum, 5831; jejunum, 4632; ileum, 3191; proximal colon, 1275; mid-colon, 689; distal colon, 359; rectum, 144. In the opossum, values were as follows: proximal esophagus, 37; mid-esophagus, 52; distal esophagus, 84; duodenum, 1812; jejunum, 2234; ileum, 1488; proximal colon, 206; mid-colon, 197; distal colon, 121; rectum, 61. Adequate specimens could not be obtained from opossum stomach. Differences were due more to variations in distribution density of ganglia than in ganglionic size. The relatively dense submucous plexus of the intestine probably is related to the capacity of the intestinal mucosa for peptide secretion as well as to its absorptive function.     

Shunt fascicles in the gastric myenteric plexus in five species

Thick nerve bundles, called shunt fascicles, lie in the myenteric plexus of the stomach in guinea pig, rabbit, cat, opossum, and cynomolgus monkey. They enter the stomach at the cardia, either as extensions of the esophageal myenteric plexus or of vagal branches to the caudal esophagus, and radiate toward the greater curvature. They bypass ganglia in the orad part of the stomach but give off branches to ganglia in more caudad parts. They are more abundant in the gastric fundus and body than in the antrum; they are infrequent along the greater curvature of the antrum. About 4% of the fibers they contain are myelinated. Arterioles and venules follow shunt fascicles and give rise to perifascicular capillary networks. Shunt fascicles are prominent in the cat, opossum, and monkey; they are short, thin, and sparse in the rabbit and guinea pig. They do not appear to be extensions of the direct vagal branches to the stomach but may be special nerve pathways from the esophagus to parts of the stomach.     

Comparative anatomy of the myenteric plexus of the distal colon in eight mammals

The behavior of the most distal part of the colon in a variety of species suggests that the innervation of this part may differ from that of more proximal parts. Silver impregnation was used to demonstrate the arrangement of the myenteric plexus of the distal colon in eight species (rat, guinea pig, rabbit, Australian possum, American opossum, cat, dog, and monkey). A distal zone, approximately 5%-20% of the total length of the colon above the anal verge in the nonrodents, was characterized by a plexus of very irregularly disposed intersecting nerve bundles of highly variable size with few and small ganglia; this zone was absent in the three rodent species. A next most distal zone, approximately 10%-65% of the total colonic length, contained a stellate plexus of large, regularly disposed ganglia interconnected by small nerve fiber bundles upon which were superimposed large dark-staining nerve bundles; these bundles began to be seen at the level of the irregular rectal plexus and ran cephalad, bypassing some ganglia but giving off branches to others. These, called shunt fascicles, contained many myelinated nerve fibers. Above this zone, the plexus was a stellate plexus throughout the remainder of the colon.     

Differential effect of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on the innervation of the ileum and distal colon

The effect of short-term and long-term streptozotocin-induced diabetes on the pattern of distribution and tissue content of adrenergic and peptidergic nerves in ileum and distal (descending) colon of the rat was examined using immunohistochemical, biochemical, and immunochemical techniques. The effect of short-term streptozotocin-induced diabetes on the level of noradrenaline compared with weight-restricted (starved) and untreated controls in the celiac (celiac-superior mesenteric ganglia complex) and inferior mesenteric ganglia, which supply the two regions of the intestine, was also compared. The pattern of change in the distribution of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase-, substance P-, calcitonin gene-related peptide-, and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-like immunoreactive nerve fibres that was observed in the ileum from diabetic rats was not evident in the myenteric plexus of distal colon. In contrast to the ileum, there was no evidence of degenerative change in any of the nerve types investigated in the myenteric plexus of the distal colon. The level of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in the diabetic rat ileum was significantly increased, whereas the level of noradrenaline was reduced; no such changes were observed in the distal colon. The tissue content of noradrenaline in the celiac ganglion, which projects to the ileum, was increased at 8-week diabetes compared with both weight-restricted and untreated controls, whereas the diabetic state had no effect on the levels of noradrenaline of the inferior mesenteric ganglion, which projects to the distal colon. It is concluded that there is a differential effect of streptozotocin-diabetes on different regions of the rat intestine. The adrenergic and peptidergic innervation of the distal colon were changed little compared with ileum. This may be explainable in terms of the different functional roles of these two regions of the intestine and/or by the difference in origin of the sympathetic nerves supplying the two regions of the intestine.     

Region-specific differences in the human myenteric plexus: an immunohistochemical study using donated elderly cadavers

Purpose and methods

To identify site-dependent and individual differences in neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-positive nerves of the myenteric plexus, we examined full-thickness walls of the stomach, pylorus, duodenum, ileum, colon, and rectum in 7 male and 8 female cadavers (mean ages, 80 and 87 years, respectively).

Results

The areas occupied by nNOS-positive nerve fibers in the myenteric plexus were fragmentary and overlapped with areas occupied by vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-positive fibers. The nNOS-positive fiber-containing areas per 1-mm length of intermuscular space tended to be larger at more anal sites, with positive areas four times greater in the rectum than in the stomach. Interindividual differences in rectal areas were extremely large, ranging from 0.017 mm² in one 80-year-old man to 0.067 mm² in another 80-year-old man. Similarly, the numbers of nNOS-positive ganglion cell bodies per 1-mm length in the rectum ranged from 4 to 28. These areas and numbers were weakly correlated (r?=?0.62; p?=?0.02). Interindividual differences in the rectum appeared not to depend on either age or gender.

Conclusions

Anatomic studies using donated cadavers carried the advantage of obtaining any parts of intestine within an individual, in contrast to surgically removed specimens. We speculated excess control of evacuation with laxatives as one of causes of atrophy of the rectal myenteric plexus.     

Upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy in children and adolescents with Crohn''s disease: A prospective study

Fifty-six children and adolescents with Crohn's disease were prospectively investigated with gastroscopy and colonoscopy irrespective of localizing symptoms or signs. Routine biopsies were taken from endoscopically normal and abnormal areas. A high incidence (71%) of upper gastrointestinal (GI) involvement was found. In 41%, these findings were instrumental in making the diagnosis. The ileum was viewed in 49 of the 56 cases. Overall, the upper GI tract was involved in 71%, the terminal ileum in 53%, and the colon in 86% (oesophagus 16%, body of stomach 46%, antrum 36%, duodenum 21%, terminal ileum 53%, caecum 69%, transverse colon 71%, sigmoid 60% and rectum 41%). Upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy with systematic biopsies should be performed early in the diagnostic assessment of children and adolescents with suspected inflammatory bowel disease to enable accurate diagnosis and assessment of extent of disease.     

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis involving the ileocecal area

Summary Eosinophilic gastroenteritis, an idiopathic inflammation of the alimentary canal, is characterized by infiltration of the intestinal wall by eosinophils, massive submucosal edema, and peripheral eosinophilia. It is generally confined to the gastric antrum and proximal small intestine. A young woman had an eosinophilic infiltrate that involved the distal ileum and right colon only. Barium studies showed severe narrowing and shortening of the cecum and ascending colon. Symptoms of intestinal obstruction did not respond satisfactorily to conservative measures. Adhesions over the ileocecal area as well as thickening and induration of the terminal ileum and proximal right colon were found on hemicolectomy. The remaining intestine and the peritoneal cavity were felt to be normal. Histologic examination showed a cellular infiltrate with prominent eosinophils in the mucosa, submucosal edema and fibrosis. During a 40-month follow-up period after the hemicolectomy, the patient has not shown clear evidence of recurrence or extension of the disease to the stomach or proximal small intestine. It is concluded that idiopathic eosinophilic gastroenteritis may primarily involve the ileocecal area. In that location it must be specifically differentiated from intestinal tuberculosis, amebiasis, and Crohn's disease.     

Distribution of nitric oxide synthase-containing nerves in the aganglionic intestine of mutant rats: A histochemical study

We examined the distribution of nerves containing nitric oxide synthase in the intestine of congenitally aganglionic rats, using a reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase histochemical method for whole-mount and cryostat specimens. A constricted intestinal segment extends from the terminal ileum to the anus in this mutant. No nerve elements with the activity were found in the affected terminal ileum, cecum, and proximal colon. Although intrinsic ganglionic neurons were absent along the constricted intestine, nerve fibers with the activity were found in both the submucous and intermuscular layers distal to the proximal colon. These fibers increased in density towards the rectum, forming hypertrophic nerve bundles and unusual fiber networks. However, positive fibers were never seen within the circular and longitudinal musculature of the constricted lesion. Some of these hypertrophic nerve bundles were continuous with ectopic ganglia that were situated in the adventitial connective tissue around the lower rectum and in the submucosa near the anus. The hypertrophic nerve bundles seemed to have an extrinsic origin; some of them may have originated from ectopic ganglia. These results suggest that the defective distribution of nerves containing nitric oxide synthase may be involved in the pathogenesis of congenital colonic aganglionosis.     

19例胃肠结核的影像学分析

目的 探索胃肠结核的影像学特点。方法回顾分析经确诊为胃肠结核19例病例,从病灶部位、形态、边缘、周围组织的影像改变进行分析。结果19例患者中,胃窦部结核1例,空肠结核1例,末端回肠、回盲部结核15例,回盲部及升结肠同时受累1例,横结肠结核1例。本组病例影像诊断,除胃结核、回盲部结核各1例误诊外,其余均与病理诊断相符合,误诊率为10.5%,准确率89.5%。结论胃肠结核的影像表现有一定的特征性,但必须结合临床病史,进行病理、细菌学检查才可做出明确的诊断。     

Localization of neurokinin B receptor in mouse gastrointestinal tract

AIM: To observe the location of neurokinin receptor (NK3r)in the mouse gastrointestinal tract.METHODS: The abdomen of 8 male Kunming mice wereopened under anaesthesia with sodium pentobarbital. Theexposed gut organs were cleaned and kept moisture andtemperature. Then the esophagus, jejulum, ileum, colon,etc were respectively cut and the segments from thestomach to the distal colon were opened along themesenteric border. A circular 4mm ～ 6mm enteric part(pieces of 1 cr2 were to be prepared) and mucosa andsubmucosa were removed, then the longitudinal musclelayer was pulled off from the circular muscle layer undermicrophotography. They were rinsed in 50nmol @ L-1potassium phosphate-buffered saline ( PBS ).Immunohistochemistry and immunoreactive fluorescencewere used in the staining procedure.RESULTS: There was not NK3r-Like(-Li) positive material onthe smooth muscle cells of the esophagus, stomach,intestines and other regions. The nerve cell bodies withimmunoreactivity for NK3r were mainly distributed in thesubmucousal nerve plexus or myenteric nerve plexus of thegastrointestinal tract except for the esophagus, stomachand rectum. The reaction product was located on thesurface of the nerve cell plasma. lt was observedoccasionally in the cell plasma endosomes, but was veryweakly stained. Among the NK3-Like positive neurons in theplexus, the morphological type in many neurons' appenaedlike Dogiel Ⅱ type cells. Some neuron cell bodies were big,having many profiles, Some were long ones or havinggrading structure. Cell bodiy diameter was about 10μm-46μmand 8μm-42μm in myenteric plexus and submucous plexus.CONCLUSION: This study not only described the distributionof neurokinin B receptor in the mouse gut, but alsoprovided a morphological basis for deducing the functionalidentity of the NK3r-LI immunoreactivity neurons,suggesting the possibility that these neurons were closelyrelated to gastrointestinal tract contraction and relaxingactivity.     

Neurochemical coding in the small intestine of patients with Crohn''s disease.

BACKGROUND: There have been conflicting results regarding the effect of Crohn's disease on the neurochemical composition of the enteric nervous system. AIMS: To examine the effect of Crohn's disease on the neurochemical composition of enteric nerve fibres and cell bodies using whole mount preparations of human ileum. METHODS: Whole wall ileum from seven normal subjects and nine patients with Crohn's disease was used to investigate the neurochemical composition of neurones and nerve fibres in the myenteric plexus, circular muscle, and serosa layer of ileum using immunohistochemical techniques. RESULTS: Increased tyrosine hydroxylase, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and neuropeptide Y immunoreactivity was exclusively seen in the myenteric plexus. There was increased neurofilament immunoreactivity in the myenteric plexus and nerve fibres of the circular muscle layer, and thick bundles of immunoreactive nerve fibres in the serosa layer. Increased vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, nitric oxide synthase, and pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide immunoreactivity was seen in the myenteric plexus and nerve fibres of the circular muscle layer, and aggregates of inflammatory cells in the serosa layer of the afflicted segment of Crohn's ileum. In addition, there was a chaotic display of nerve fibres containing some of the neuroactive substances with a high frequency of enlarged varicosities in the myenteric ganglia and/or nerve fibres of the circular muscle layer of Crohn's ileum. CONCLUSION: Results show quantitative as well as qualitative changes in the neurochemical composition of enteric nerve fibres and nerve cell bodies of Crohn's ileum. These changes and the presence of nitric oxide synthase and peptides immunoreactive inflammatory cells in the serosa layer suggest that nerve-immune interactions may have a significant role in the process of the inflammatory changes seen in Crohn's ileitis.     

Perendoscopic manometry of the distal ileum and ileocecal junction in humans

Previous manometric studies of the ileocolonic junction were performed without assessing the precise spatial relationship between recording sensors and ileocolonic junction. In the present study, the motor activity of the ileocolonic junction was recorded using manometric sensors localized under direct colonoscopic control in 11 patients (4 men, 7 women; mean age, 55 years) referred for hematochezia with normal stool frequency. No medications were administered before and during endoscopy. A perfused catheter (OD 1.7 mm, with three side holes 4 mm apart and marked by evenly spaced black rings in the distal 6 cm) was passed through the biopsy channel of the endoscope and advanced through the ileocolonic junction and 6 cm into the ileum. The catheter was then withdrawn into the cecum by 1-cm steps, and motor activity was recorded for 4-6 minutes at each station. A single catheter taped to the endoscope continuously recorded cecal pressure. An ileocecal pressure gradient could not be identified in the majority of subjects; individual values ranged from -8 to +4 mm Hg, and gradients were maintained over the entire length of the ileum. In the distal ileum, tonic and phasic pressure waves were detected. Tonic variations were present for 70.1% of the recording time, either alone (44%) or together with phasic waves (56%). Phasic waves were present for 10.3% of the recording time and, according to their duration, were subdivided into those compatible with the rate of ileal slow waves and prolonged waves not compatible with the rate of ileal slow waves. Regular phasic waves could be either isolated or in clusters; prolonged waves were always isolated. A similar proportion of regular (27.9%) and prolonged (31.2%) phasic waves propagated aborally along the ileum or from ileum to cecum. Clusters presented an average of 8.7 +/- 0.6 peaks/min, and 44% of them propagated aborally. The manometric characteristics did not vary between the segments 5-3 cm and 2-0 cm proximal to the ileocecal junction. In conclusion, a powerful ileocecal sphincter was not detected at the human ileocecal junction, and motor activity of the distal ileum was characterized by tonic changes and rapid phasic contractions.     

Nerve supply to the internal anal sphincter differs from that to the distal rectum: an immunohistochemical study of cadavers

Purpose

Fecal incontinence is a common problem after anal sphincter-preserving operations. The intersphincteric autonomic nerves supplying the internal anal sphincter (IAS) are formed by the union of: (1) nerve fibers from Auerbach’s nerve plexus of the most distal part of the rectum and (2) the inferior rectal branches of the pelvic plexus (IRB-PX) running along the conjoint longitudinal muscle coat. The aim of the present study is to identify the detailed morphology of nerves to the IAS.

Methods

The study comprised histological and immunohistochemical evaluations of paraffin-embedded sections from a large block of anal canal from the preserved 10 cadavers.

Results

The IRB-PX came from the superior aspect of the levator ani and ran into the anal canal on the anterolateral side. These nerves contained both sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers, but the sympathetic content was much higher than in nerves from the distal rectum. All intramural ganglion cells in the distal rectum were neuronal nitric oxide synthase-positive and tyrosine hydroxylase-negative and were restricted to above the squamous-columnar epithelial junction. Parasympathetic nerves formed a lattice-like plexus in the circular smooth muscles of the distal rectum, whereas the IAS contained short, longitudinally running sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves, although sympathetic nerves were dominant.

Conclusions

The major autonomic nerve input to the IAS seemed not to originate from the distal rectum but from the IRB-PX. Injury to the IRB-PX during surgery seemed to result in loss of innervation to the major part of the IAS.     

Distribution and density of substance P receptors in the feline gastrointestinal tract using autoradiography.

Autoradiography was used to localize and quantify substance P receptors in the feline gastrointestinal tract. The specific binding of 125I-Bolton Hunter substance P was determined in the esophagus, lower esophageal sphincter, antrum, pylorus, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, ileocecal sphincter, and colon. Competitive binding studies indicated that substance P binding sites or NK-1 receptor sites were demonstrated. The concentration of NK-1 receptors was greatest in the distal half of the gastrointestinal tract, with the highest concentrations in the proximal colon. The circular muscle layer contained the greatest amount of substance P binding. The location and density of binding sites for substance P may be important in understanding the relative importance of both the pharmacological responses to this neuropeptide and the immunohistochemical evidence of the peptide at different sites in the intestine.     

Small intestinal obstruction resulting from ischemic enteritis: a case report

A 69-year-old male was admitted to our institution because of a sudden onset of vomiting and abdominal distention. His past history of illness included femoral head fracture, congestive heart failure and ischaemic colitis. Plain abdominal computed tomography revealed extensively dilated small intestinal loops with a calibre change around the end of the ileum. Small intestinal obstruction was diagnosed and a transnasal ileus tube was placed. The ileus tube was constantly moved towards small intestine until it reached the distal ileum. Contrast medium from the ileus tube revealed a distal ileal stricture. Subsequently, transanal single balloon enteroscopy was performed to inspect the stricture, revealing a circumferential and afferent tubular ulcer in the distal ileum, 5 cm from the ileocecal valve; gastrofluorography confirmed the stricture. Although the stricture was dilated on several occasions using balloon catheters, the stricture could not be improved. However, during the treatment, his general condition worsened over time; thus, surgical treatment was decided. Operative findings revealed several circumferential ulcers with a clear margin 5–28 cm from the ileocecal valve: all lesions were successfully resected. Pathological findings were consistent with ischaemic enteritis. We report a case of small intestinal obstruction resulting from stenotic ischaemic enteritis.     

Substance P Binding in Gastrointestinal Tract of Nondiabetic BB Rat and Changes in Diabetic BB Rat over Time

Our aim was to determine sites of substance Pbinding in the gut of the BB rat and examine changes inSP binding in the diabetic rat, over time. Specificbinding of [¹²⁵I]substance P was localized insections of nondiabetic gut using emulsionautoradiography and quantitated in diabetic andnondiabetic gut using film autoradiography. High levelsof SP binding were located in esophageal muscularismucosa, circular muscle of the stomach and colon, deep muscularplexus, and in the circular muscle adjacent to theplexus in the ileum. The myenteric plexus demonstratedmoderate to high levels of binding. Specific binding increased in the antrum and pylorus at threeweeks and in the jejunum and distal colon at four weeksof diabetes but decreased in the distal ileum at two tofour weeks of diabetes. Changes persisted at four to six months. These results contribute tounderstanding changes in the control of intestinalmotility in diabetes.     

Immunohistochemical investigation of gastrin-producing cells (G cells). Estimation of antral density, mucosal distribution, and total mass of G cells in resected stomachs from patients with peptic ulcer disease.

The mucosal distribution of G cells was quantitatively mapped in resected stomachs from 42 patients (12 with gastric ulcer, 11 with duodenal ulcer, 14 with duodenal ulcer and uremia, and 5 with gastric cancer). Along the histological border of the proximal part of the pyloric antrum there was in all patient categories a transitional zone of varying extent, with a low G-cell density before the cells disappeared in the body of the stomach. The proximal end of the duodenum contained considerably fewer G cells than in the antrum, and the number was virtually equal in all groups. Within the antrum there was in the material as a whole a gradual increase in G-cell density from the proximal to the distal part, but this difference was not apparent for the gastric ulcer patients. When corresponding antral segments were compared between the various patient groups, the G-cell density was found to be significantly decreased in the distal antrum of the gastric ulcer patients. In all patient categories, except the duodenal ulcer group with uremia, the circumferential distribution of G cells showed reduced density along the curvatura minor. For the material as a whole there were great individual variations in the overall antral G-cell density, in the antral area corresponding to the distribution of G cells and in the total G-cell mass; these three variables were not significantly related to diagnosis, age or sex.     

An immunohistochemical study on the neuropeptide-producing endocrine cells in the alimentary tract of wrinkled frog,Rana rugosa (Ranidae)

The regional distribution and relative frequency of neurohormonal peptides-producing endocrine cells were demonstrated in the alimentary tract of wrinkled frog, Rana rugosa, using eight types of specific antisera raised against mammalian regulatory peptides. The alimentary tract of frog was divided into six portions from esophagus to rectum. Most of the cells in the epithelial lining portion, between epithelial cells, were generally spherical or spindle shaped having long cytoplasmic process that was reached to the lumen (open-typed cell) while cells showing round shape (close-typed cell) were also found in the gastric, esophageal or intestinal glands occasionally. All of eight immunoreactive (IR) cells against serotonin, somatostatin, bovine Sp-1/chromogranin (BCG), gastrin, cholecystokinin (CCK)-8, bombesin, glucagon, and human pancreatic polypeptide (HPP) were observed in this study. Serotonin-IR cells were demonstrated throughout whole alimentary tract including esophagus and showed most predominant frequency in antrum. Somatostatin-IR cells were also detected throughout whole alimentary tract including esophagus and showed most predominant in pylorus and antrum. BCG-IR cells were restricted to stomach regions with relatively low frequencies. CCK-8-IR cells were observed from antrum to ileum and showed highest frequency in antrum. Gastrin-IR cells were restricted to antrum with low frequency and bombesin-IR cells were demonstrated from esophagus to antrum with various frequencies. Glucagon-IR cells were located throughout whole alimentary tract except for rectum and showed most predominant frequency at antrum. HPP-IR cells were detected from antrum to ileum with highest frequency in antrum. In conclusion, the regional distribution and relative frequency of these IR cells correspond well to the previous report in anuran species but somewhat peculiar patterns are also detected.     

Does the ileocolonic junction differentiate between solids and liquids?

Previous observations from our laboratory have suggested that colonic filling from the ileum is characterised by a series of bolus movements. The present experiments were designed to test the hypothesis that bolus transit of ileal contents into the colon would not distinguish between solids and liquids. After a manometric infusion assembly was positioned by mouth into the ileum of 13 healthy volunteers, a mixture of nutrients (75 kcal), incorporating a solid phase radiolabel (111In labeled resin pellets) and a liquid phase marker (99mTc-DTPA), was infused into the ileum. Transit of both labels from the ileum to colon was quantified scintigraphically and ileal motility was also recorded. When markers were infused into the proximal ileum, 100 cm proximal to the ileocolonic junction (six), there were clear cut examples of discriminant transit, when liquids moved more rapidly from the small to the large bowel than did solids. When isotopes were instilled into the distal ileum, less than 50 cm from the ileocolonic junction, no separate transit of the solid and liquid phases was observed. No specific motor pattern of the ileum was regularly associated with bolus filling of the colon. These results support the hypothesis that the distal ileum can discriminate between solids and liquids but that the ileocecal junction cannot.     

Distribution of nitric oxide synthase in stomach myenteric plexus of rats

AIM:To study the distribution of nitdc oxide synthese(NOS)in rat stomach myenteric plexus.METHODS:The distribution of NOS in gastric wall wasstudied in quantity and location by the NADPH-diaphorase(NDP)histochemical staining method and whole mountpreperation technique.RESULTS:NOS was distributed in whole stomach wall,mostof them were located In myenteric plexus,and distributed insubmucosal plexus.The shape of NOS positive neuronswas baslcally similar,most of them being round and oval inshape.But their density,size and staining intensity variedgreatly in the different parts of stomach.The density was 62±38 cells/mm~2(antrum),43±32 cells/mm~2(body),and 32±28 cells/mm~2(fundus),respectively.The size andstaining intensity of NOS positive neurons in the funduswere basically the same,the neurons being large and darkstained,while they were obviously different in antrum.Inthe body of the stomach,the NOS positive neurons were inan Intermediate state from fundus to antrum.There weresome beedlike structures which were strung together byNOS positiva varicosities in nerve fibers,some were closelyadherent to the outer walls of blood vessels.CONCLUSION:Nitric oxide might he involved in themodulation of motility,secretion and blood circulation ofthe stomach,and the significant difference of NOS positiveneurons in different parts of stomach myenteric plexus maybe related to the physiologic function of stomach.