DEGENERATION OF INTRAPANCREATIC NERVE-FIBERS AFTER CHRONIC ALCOHOL ADMINISTRATION IN MICE

Conclusion. These results provide morphological evidence for an alcoho l-induced selective intrapancreatic nerve degeneration. This affected mainly the nerve fibers that are inhibitory of the exocrine pancreas, and might represent the morphological background of hypersecretory sta te of the pancreas in chronic alcoholism. Methods. Intrapancreatic int rinsic nerves were studied by immunohistochemistry and electron micros copy after 4 mo of alcohol consumption and compared with control mice. Results. A dense network of nerve fibers was observed in the normal m ouse pancreas around the blood vessels and ending on the exocrine cell s. The presence of VIP, NPY, PPI SP, and serotonin in these nerves was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. Four months of alcohol consumpt ion did not result in apparent morphological changes of the pancreas. However, the majority of periacinar nerve terminals showed degenerativ e changes. Synaptic vesicles were diminished in number in some other n erve processes, whereas the perivascular nerve fibers were relatively well preserved. A slight decrease was found in the intensity of VIP an d SP immunoreactivity, and the PP fibers almost disappeared.