THE IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF HUMAN GALL-BLADDER INNERVATION

Objective: Various immunocytochemical characteristics of the human gal l bladder innervation and epithelial secretor status were studied in a n attempt to identify whether consistent changes might be found in gal lstone formation and cholecystitis. Material and methods: A total of 4 4 gall bladders were studied; 32 had been removed because of symptomat ic disease and 12 gallstone-free gall bladders were obtained from dono rs of hepatic transplants. The gall bladders were assessed by routine haematoxylin and eosin staining and by immunocytochemical staining for neuronal and axonal structures, nerve sheaths, neuroendocrine cells a nd markers of epithelial secretion and differentiation. Results: No di fference between normal and inflamed gall bladders were found in neuro endocrine, epithelial secretory and differentiation markers. A conside rable reduction in the number of stainable nerve fibres and ganglion c ells in the lamina propria was observed in inflamed gall bladders comp ared with normal. Whether this is a causal factor for abnormal gall bl adder function or is merely a result of tissue damage has yet to be de termined.