Multiple endocrine neoplasia 2B: Differential increase in enteric nerve subgroups in muscle and mucosa.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia 2B (MEN2B) is a rare syndrome caused by an activating mutation of the gene, leading to enteric gangliomatosis. This child presented with constipation at 1-mo old, was diagnosed with MEN2B by rectal biopsy at 4 mo, had thyroidectomy at 9 mo and a colectomy at 4 years. We studied the extent of neuronal and nerve fibre proliferation and which classes of enteric nerves are affected by examining the colon with multiple neuronal antibodies.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide is a survival factor, inhibiting apoptosis in neonatal rat gubernaculum in vitro.

Background: Testicular descent is proposed to occur in 2 stages. During the second stage, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) released from the genitofemoral nerve (GFN) causes maximal mitosis in the gubernacular bulb. As normal development requires a balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis, this study explored the effect of CGRP on apoptosis in the rat gubernacular bulb.