Neuropeptide Y, calcitonin gene-related peptide, and galanin in Hirschsprung's disease: an immunocytochemical study

The aganglionic intestinal segment in Hirschsprung's disease is known to contain a reduced number of nerve fibers storing vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), substance P (SP), enkephalin, and gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP). In this study, nerves containing three newly described neuropeptides: neuropeptide Y (NPY), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and galanin were examined using immunocytochemistry. Nerve fibers displaying NPY immunoreactivity were found to be more frequent in the aganglionic than in nonafflicted ganglionic intestine. Nerve fibers storing CGRP and galanin on the other hand were roughly equally frequent but the distribution pattern differed in that the bulk of fibers in the aganglionic intestine was localized to large nerve trunks not seen in the ganglionic segment. The functional significance of these changes has yet to be defined.