NITRIC OXIDE-PRODUCING NEURONS REMAIN INTACT AFTER SMALL-BOWEL TRANSPLANTATION

This study documents the fate of nitric oxide neurons following small bowel transplantation. Heterotopic, syngeneic small bowel transplants were performed in five male Lewis rats. The grafts were harvested 7, 3 6, 55, 60, and 65 days postoperatively, together with the native bowel for comparison. NADPH diaphorase staining of cryostat sections was us ed to identify the nitric oxide-producing neurons. NADPH diaphorase ac tivity was concentrated in the myenteric plexus, deep muscular, and su bmucous plexus. No differences were detected between the transplanted and native bowel at any time after transplantation. This suggests that nitric oxide-producing neurons are well preserved after transplantati on and that posttransplant dysmotility is probably not related to inte rrupted nitric oxide innervation. Copyright (C) 1995 by W.B. Saunders Company.