IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF ENTERIC NERVOUS-SYSTEM AFTER SMALL-BOWELTRANSPLANTATION IN HUMANS

The neurohormonal structures of two human intestines removed due to re jection 22 months and eight months after intestinal transplantation we re studied by an indirect immunohistochemical method and compared with normal ileum. The distribution and density of neurons immunoreactive for tyrosine hydroxylase, substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide , neuropeptide Y, vasoactive intestinal peptide, galanin, gastrin-rele asing peptide, L-enkephalin, and somatostatin were examined. Mucosal e ndocrine cells immunoreactive for somatostatin, peptide YY, and glucag on were also examined. Extrinsic adrenergic fibers and perivascular fi bers were absent in all intestinal layers of the failed grafts. The di stribution of intrinsic neurons was unchanged; however, the density wa s decreased by one rank. Distribution of endocrine cells of the first graft was similar to the normal. Extrinsic fibers were not detected by immunohistochemistry in human small intestinal grafts following long- term survival and eventual rejection, while the immunohistochemical ex pression of intrinsic neural and endocrine transmitters were well pres erved.