neuropeptide-y and Cadaver

The human internal carotid nerve (ICN) occasionally has a swelling beneath the external opening of the carotid canal. In this study, the presence and distribution of neuronal cells were investigated in the bilateral ICNs of nine human cadavers. Among 44.4% of the cadavers, swellings were detected in the ICN. Their diameters ranged from 1.7 to 3.6 mm (average ± SD = 2.6 ± 0.7 mm). Thirty-eight percent of these swellings were large (diameter > 3 mm) and showed an oval shape. The large swelling contained many neuronal cells. However, the ICNs with or without a swelling <3 mm diameter were mostly free from neuronal cells (93.3%). Only in one human cadaver, the right ICN without a swelling had a small number of neuronal cells. By the present immunohistochemical method, ICN neurons contained catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes and neuropeptides. Dopamine-beta hydroxylase- and tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactivity were mostly expressed by ICN neurons. More than half of them also contained neuropeptide Y-immunoreactivity. However, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-immunoreactive ICN neurons were relatively infrequent. Substance P- and calcitonin gene-related peptide-immunoreactive ICN neurons could not be detected. By the cell size analysis, neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive neurons were significantly smaller than neuropeptide Y-immunonegative neurons in the ICN. The present study suggests that ICN neurons have a sympathetic function in the human.

Topics: Cadaver; Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase; Humans; Neurons; Neuropeptide Y; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is typically unwitnessed but can be preceded by seizures in the period prior to death. Peri-ictal respiratory dysfunction is a likely mechanism for some SUDEP, and central apnea has been shown following amygdala stimulation. The amygdala is enriched in neuropeptides that modulate neuronal activity and can be transiently depleted following seizures. In a postmortem SUDEP series, we sought to investigate alterations of neuropeptidergic networks in the amygdala, including cases with recent poor seizure control.. In 15 SUDEP cases, 12 epilepsy controls, and 10 nonepilepsy controls, we quantified the labeling index (LI) for galanin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), and somatostatin (SST) in the lateral, basal, and accessory basal nuclei and periamygdala cortex with whole slide scanning image analysis. Within the SUDEP group, seven had recent generalized seizures with recovery 24 hours prior to death (SUDEP-R).. Galanin, NPY, and SST LIs were significantly lower in all amygdala regions in SUDEP cases compared to epilepsy controls (P < .05 to P < .0005), and galanin LI was lower in the lateral nucleus compared to nonepilepsy controls (P < .05). There was no difference in the LI in the SUDEP-R group compared to other SUDEP. Higher LI was noted in epilepsy controls than nonepilepsy controls; this was significant for NPY in lateral and basal nuclei (P < .005 and P < .05).. A reduction in galanin in the lateral nucleus in SUDEP could represent acute depletion, relevant to postictal amygdala dysfunction. In addition, increased amygdala neuropeptides in epilepsy controls support their seizure-induced modulation, which is relatively deficient in SUDEP; this could represent a vulnerability factor for amygdala dysfunction in the postictal period.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Amygdala; Cadaver; Cause of Death; Epilepsy; Female; Galanin; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nerve Net; Neuropeptide Y; Neuropeptides; Somatostatin; Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy; Tissue Banks; Young Adult

We have studied the histologic and immunohistochemical changes of the long head of the biceps brachii tendon (LHB) in low-energy complex proximal humerus fractures. Our objective was to detect histological features, which may be correlated to pain generation. Biopsy samples were obtained during hemiarthroplasty procedures from 11 patients who suffered a complex proximal humerus fracture. The control group consisted of 10 samples harvested from human cadavers with no history of premortem shoulder problems and no gross shoulder pathology. Histologic investigation included quantitative measurement of tendon degeneration, cellularity, neoangiogenesis, inflammation and metaplasia, as well as immunohistochemical detection of cells with neural differentiation within the tendon tissue proper with S-100 protein and neuropeptide Y (N-Y). The found lesions were significantly more in the group of tendons from fractures compared to the control group (p<0.001). These lesions were also statistically correlated to each other, indicating a possible neural differentiation of tendon stromal cells. The LHB is a potential source of pain and the routine use of tenotomy/tenodesis of this tendon in hemiarthroplasty procedures for fracture may be reinforced by the results of this study.

Topics: Aged; Arthroplasty; Biopsy; Cadaver; Cell Differentiation; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Muscle, Skeletal; Neovascularization, Physiologic; Neuropeptide Y; S100 Proteins; Shoulder Fractures; Shoulder Pain; Stromal Cells; Tendons

A descriptive cadaveric study.. To investigate the anatomy and innervation of the uncovertebral joint to determine if it is synovial in nature and capable of generating pain.. There is controversy with regard to the anatomic and histological makeup of the uncovertebral interface with some authors considering it a joint and others disc tissue. No research has investigated the presence of pain generating neurotransmitters within the uncovertebral cartilaginous and capsular tissue.. Tissue from uncovertebral capsule and cartilage was harvested for each uncovertebral surface starting at the C2-C3 to the C6-C7 cervical segment. The tissue was placed in 4% paraformaldehyde fixative, then dehydrated and embedded in paraffin. Ten micron sections were cut through the tissue blocks and mounted on slides. The tissue was rehydrated and either stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) or immunostained with antisera against protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), substance P (SP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP).. The sample consisted of 2 unembalmed fresh male human cadavers of a mean age of 83 years. Chondrocytes and synoviocytes were identified at the capsular tissue of each uncovertebral interface from C2-C3-C6-C7. Immunoreactivity for PGP 9.5, SP, CGRP, and NPY was observed at all uncovertebral interface levels in capsular tissue.. The presence of both synoviocytes and chondrocytes has been recorded in the present study, suggesting that the uncovertebral interface is synovial in nature. Immunoreactivity to PGP 9.5, SP, CGRP, and NPY indicates the presence of nerve fibers from both the somatic and autonomic nervous systems. These findings suggest that the uncovertebral joints are potential pain generators in the cervical spine.

Topics: Aged, 80 and over; Arthralgia; Autonomic Pathways; Cadaver; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; Cervical Vertebrae; Chondrocytes; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Intervertebral Disc; Joint Capsule; Joints; Male; Neck Pain; Neuropeptide Y; Nociceptors; Sensory Receptor Cells; Substance P; Synovial Membrane; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase

Animal studies have demonstrated the importance of orexigenic NPY and agouti-related protein (AGRP) hypothalamic neurons, which are inhibited by the adipocyte hormone leptin, in the regulation of body weight and neuroendocrine secretion. We have examined NPY and AGRP neurons in postmortem human hypothalami from controls, Prader-Willi syndrome and other obese subjects, using quantitative immunocytochemistry (ICC) and in situ hybridization, to identify causes of leptin resistance in human obesity. Using combined ICC and in situ hybridization, AGRP, but not POMC, was colocalized with NPY in infundibular nucleus neurons. Infundibular nucleus (including median eminence) NPY ICC staining or mRNA expression, and AGRP ICC staining, increased with premorbid illness duration. NPY ICC staining and mRNA expression were reduced in obese subjects, but AGRP ICC staining was unchanged, correcting for illness duration. This suggests normal responses of NPY and AGRP neurons to peripheral signals, such as leptin and insulin, in human illness and obesity. The pathophysiology of obesity and illness-associated anorexia appear to lie in downstream or separate neuronal circuits, but the infundibular neurons may mediate neuroendocrine responses to illness. The implications for pharmacological treatment of human obesity are discussed.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Agouti-Related Protein; Cadaver; Female; Humans; Hypothalamus; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Male; Middle Aged; Neuropeptide Y; Obesity; Postmortem Changes; Prader-Willi Syndrome; Preservation, Biological; Proteins; RNA, Messenger; Sex Characteristics; Tissue Distribution; Tissue Fixation

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the neuroregulation of sphincteric relaxation by investigating the density of nerves containing acetylcholine, noradrenaline, neuropeptide Y (NPY), galanin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the urethral sphincter in patients without a voiding disorder. The complete urethral sphincter (from the bladder neck to beyond the striated external sphincter) was excised from four male and four female adult cadavers and one male and one female fetus. In transverse paraffin or cryostat sections, the above transmitters were identified by histochemical methods. The striated sphincter was densely innervated by cholinergic nerves. Adrenergic nerves next to striated fibers were rare, but were present in all patients. NPY was seen rarely along striated fibers. In the smooth sphincteric component, noradrenaline-, acetylcholine-, NPY- and galanin-reactive nerves were observed frequently. Only functional studies can clarify the clinical implications of these results. Judging from NPY's scarcity in the striated sphincter no efferent function is anticipated. In the smooth component the frequent appearance of NPY, galanin and noradrenaline suggests a regulatory role for these transmitters.

Topics: Acetylcholine; Adult; Aged; Autonomic Nervous System; Cadaver; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; Female; Fetus; Galanin; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle, Skeletal; Muscle, Smooth; Neuropeptide Y; Neurotransmitter Agents; Norepinephrine; Urethra; Urination; Urination Disorders; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) has been shown to decrease insulin secretion from rodent islets. NPY messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) has been demonstrated in rat and mouse pancreatic islets. We, therefore, examined human islets for the presence of NPY-encoding mRNA and NPY-like immunoreactivity. Human pancreatic islets were obtained from cadaveric organ donors, using collagenase digestion and purification on BSA density gradients. Northern blot analysis, employing a human NPY riboprobe, revealed specific NPY-encoding mRNA in the islet. Compared to the islet, NPY message abundance was 9-fold higher in the caudate nucleus and 2.4-fold higher in the temporal lobe, but it was 75% lower in the adrenal gland. NPY-like immunoreactivity was present at 2.4 +/- 0.3 fmol/microgram protein in acid-ethanol extracts from the islets. On fast protein liquid chromatography with a reverse phase column, the majority of NPY-like immunoreactivity eluted as a peak with a retention time identical to that of porcine NPY standard. Added NPY (100 nmol/L) decreased (P = 0.001) glucose-stimulated (8 mmol/L) insulin release from the human islets by 45% in a perfusion system. Therefore, human islets synthesize substantial amounts of NPY, which could act as an intra-islet paracrine regulator.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Blotting, Northern; Cadaver; Chromatography; Female; Humans; Islets of Langerhans; Male; Middle Aged; Neuropeptide Y; Radioimmunoassay; RNA, Messenger

Somatostatin-like immunoreactivity (SLI) and neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity (NPYLI) were measured in the cerebral cortex of 49 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and 9 elderly controls. Concentrations of SLI were lower in AD patients relative to controls in 9 of 10 cortical regions. In contrast, no significant differences in NPYLI concentrations between the two groups were observed in any of 10 regions. These studies suggest a dissociation between SLI deficits and NPYLI concentrations in the postmortem cerebral cortex of AD patients. The apparent sparing of NPYLI-containing neurons suggests that neuropeptide Y may be located within a separate group of neurons compared to somatostatin.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alzheimer Disease; Cadaver; Cerebral Cortex; Humans; Immune Sera; Infant, Newborn; Neuropeptide Y; Osmolar Concentration; Radioimmunoassay; Reference Values; Somatostatin; Tissue Distribution