Morphological Characterization of the Myenteric Plexus of the Ileum and Distal colon of Dogs Affected by Muscular Dystrophy.

Duchenne-like muscular dystrophy (canine dystrophinopathy) is a hereditary degenerative disease characterized by muscle changes similar to those described for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and by alterations in the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. Some authors have suggested that these abnormalities may be associated with intestinal motility. This study analyzed the nitrergic and cholinergic neurons and P2X7 receptor expression in the myenteric plexus of the ileum and distal colon of dogs with muscular dystrophy.

Distribution of the P2X2 receptor and chemical coding in ileal enteric neurons of obese male mice (ob/ob).

Aim: To investigate the colocalization, density and profile of neuronal areas of enteric neurons in the ileum of male obese mice.

Methods: The small intestinal samples of male mice in an obese group (OG) (C57BL/6J ob/ob) and a control group (CG) (+/+) were used. The tissues were analyzed using a double immunostaining technique for immunoreactivity (ir) of the P2X2 receptor, nitric oxide synthase (NOS), choline acetyl transferase (ChAT) and calretinin (Calr).

Effects of ischemia and reperfusion on subpopulations of rat enteric neurons expressing the P2X7 receptor.

Background: Intestinal ischemia followed by reperfusion (I/R) may occur following intestinal obstruction. In rats, I/R in the small intestine leads to structural changes accompanied by neuronal death.

Aim: To analyze the impact of I/R injury on different neuronal populations in the myenteric plexus of rat ileum.