HYPERPLASTIC INNERVATION OF VASOACTIVE-INTESTINAL-PEPTIDE IN HUMAN GALLBLADDER WITH CHOLELITHIASIS

The vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) immunoreactive nerve fibres in the gallbladder from 14 human patients with cholelithiasis was examin ed by immunohistochemical method. In the chronic cholecystitis, hyperp lastic VIP immunoreactive nerves were observed around the hypertrophie d muscle bundles, Rokitansky Aschoff Sinus and in the mucosal layer. H owever, in the acute cholecystitis and gangrenous cholecystitis, reduc tion or disappearance of VIP nerve fibres was observed. These reductio ns or disappearances of VIP immunoreactive nerves may secondly result from severe tissue damage. These results suggest that hyperplastic VIP nerves cause gallbladder relaxation, stasis and mucosal fluid unbalan ce, which may closely correlate to gallstone formation.