Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Bischof, A.
Demonstration of the Myenteric Plexus Architecture in Ovine Esophagus with Tissue Engineering implications.
[ Diplomarbeit/Master Thesis ] Graz Medical University; 2009. pp.62.
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Saxena Amulya Kumar
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Background: Congenital malformations of the esophagus like long-gap esophageal atresia still poses challenges in surgical management. Different techniques of esophageal replacement with either gastric, jejunum or colon transposition have provided possible solutions. However, these methods are associated with short- and long-term complications. Tissue engineering technology could overcome these problems. To achieve this, the tissue components of the esophagus must be engineered, namely epithelial cells, smooth muscle cells and nerve cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the two main types of nerve cells, the cholinergic neurons and nitrergic neurons and to expose the structure of these neurons so as to understand the architecture in order to reproduce it with tissue engineering. Methods: Esophageal specimens were obtained from austrian mountain sheep (6-12 months old). A whole mount preparation of the myenteric plexus was performed for tissue specimens, and staining was carried out with NADPH-diaphorase and Acetylcholinesterase for demonstrating the nitrergic and cholinergic innervation of the enteric nervous system. The stained myenteric meshwork was investigated by conventional light microscope and measured with a computer image system. Results: NADPH-diaphorase-histochemistry and AchE-histochemistry demonstrated nearly similar results. Numerous NADPH-diaphorase-positive and AchE-postive nerve cell bodies were found in the plexus myentericus. The majority of them were of different in size and shape. In both staining procedures positively stained nerve cells appeared isolated or within ganglia. Their density within ganglia varied between 4-5/10000m. Conclusion: The whole mount preparation and the staining process with NADPH-diaphorase and AchE offers a simple method for the examination of nerve cells and fibres. Application of these methods has enabled the deciphering of the enteric nervous system architecture of the esophagus with respect to these two neurons.