IDIOPATHIC CONSTIPATION IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED NCAM EXPRESSION ON INTESTINAL MUSCLE

Our previous study of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) in childhoo d Wirschsprung's disease demonstrated increased expression on intestin al muscle, especially muscularis mucosae, in aganglionic bowel. The pr esent study was undertaken to test whether this increased NCAM express ion is a feature of congenital aganglionosis rather than being a nonsp ecific feature of constipation. We studied specimens from six patients (20-60 years old; five women and one man) operated on for idiopathic long-standing constipation, using immunocytochemistry for NCAM and pro tein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5). Results showed that in adult constipa ted bowel the pattern of NCAM expression is similar to that seen in co ntrols. There was no expression of NCAM on muscle in any of the specim ens studied. Thus, it seems likely that increased NCAM expression in g astrointestinal smooth muscle in congenital aganglionosis is a result of the abnormal innervation rather than any symptomatic or clinical fe ature.