Immunohistochemical study of enteric nervous system in dexamethasone-treated rats

Abstract

The gut is supplied with its own nervous system, referred to as the enteric nervous system (ENS). It regulates the various functions of a digestive system such as motility, secretion and digestion and has close interactions with the enteric immune system. The aim of this study was to investigate the alterations of the ENS in dexamethasone-treated rats using two general neuroendocrine markers: protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) and synaptophysin (SY). As concluded from the changes in a pattern of immunoexpression of the markers applied, some remodeling of the ENS occured. Further investigations are needed to elucidate in more details its nature and importance with respect to gastrointestinal complications seen in diabetes.