vasoactive-intestinal-peptide and Cholecystitis

The changes of different neuropeptide containing nerve elements might play a role in the pathogenesis of cholecystitis and the formation of gallstones, therefore the authors have investigated the density of the neuropeptide containing nerve fibres and immunocompetent cells in human gallbladder (control and cholecystitis).. The different neuropeptide containing nerve elements and immunocytes were detected by avidin-biotin-peroxidase (ABC) immunohistochemistry.. In the control gallbladder the density of the different neuropeptide containing nerve fibres showed different pattern in all layers. In the inflamed gallbladder the number of the vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) positive nerve fibres increased significantly, very dense immunoreactive (IR) nerve fibres were located mainly in the tunica mucosa just below the epithelial lining. The number of the VIP IR nerve cell bodies was also increased. However, the number of the substance P (SP) IR nerve fibres was decreased significantly in the cholecystitis. The number of the neuropeptide Y (NPY) nerve fibres showed no changes, while their distribution was altered compared to the control. In the inflamed area the number of immunocompetent cells was strongly increased (being granulocytes, lymphocytes, plasma cells and mast cells) and some of them were also immunoreactive for SP, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and VIP. Close contacts were detected between IR nerve fibres and the immunocytes in several cases.. During inflammation the changes of the neuropeptide containing nerve fibres might alter the function (causing dilation) of the gall bladder, the activated immunocytes can also synthesize neuropeptides (SP, CGRP, VIP), so the released materials (cytokines, chemokines, histamine, as well as neuropeptides) might act in an autocrine and/or paracrine way influencing the function of the organ and of the immune system.

Topics: Adult; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; Cholecystitis; Cholelithiasis; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Middle Aged; Nerve Fibers; Neuropeptide Y; Substance P; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

The vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) immunoreactive nerve fibres in the gallbladder from 14 human patients with cholelithiasis was examined by immunohistochemical method. In the chronic cholecystitis, hyperplastic VIP immunoreactive nerves were observed around the hypertrophied muscle bundles, Rokitansky Aschoff Sinus and in the mucosal layer. However, in the acute cholecystitis and gangrenous cholecystitis, reduction or disappearance of VIP nerve fibres was observed. These reductions or disappearances of VIP immunoreactive nerves may secondly result from severe tissue damage. These results suggest that hyperplastic VIP nerves cause gallbladder relaxation, stasis and mucosal fluid unbalance, which may closely correlate to gallstone formation.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cholecystitis; Cholelithiasis; Chronic Disease; Female; Gallbladder; Humans; Hyperplasia; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Middle Aged; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

The gallbladder mucosa normally absorbs fluid and secretes H+ ions. The fluid secretion in inflamed gallbladders is induced by prostaglandins and mediated by intramural vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-ergic nerves.. The influence of inflammation on gallblader contents due to secretion of H+ into the lumen. In animals with inflamed gallbladder this acid secretion was reduced; there was secretion of HCO3- and no evident acidification of the gallbladder contents. Injection of VIP antiserum or indomethacin restored H+ secretion and inhibited HCO3- and fluid secretion by the inflamed gallbladder mucosa. An impaired acidification of the gallbladder contents due to mucosal inflammation may reduce the solubility of calcium salts in gallbladder bile and increase the risk of their precipitation in the lumen.. Mucosal inflammation reduces H+ secretion and impairs acidification of the gallbladder contents.

Topics: Amiloride; Animals; Bicarbonates; Body Fluids; Cats; Cholecystitis; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; Diuretics; Female; Gallbladder; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Indomethacin; Male; Mucous Membrane; Protons; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

The inflammatory fluid secretion by the gallbladder mucosa in experimental cholecystitis is induced by an increased prostaglandin formation and is mediated by intramural nerves. In the present study the effect of VIP-antiserum on the inflammatory fluid secretion in the gallbladder was tested in a validated experimental model in cats. The animals were studied in acute experiments 6 weeks after a procedure when the cystic duct was tied and gallstones were implanted in the gallbladder. During basal conditions there was a continuous secretion of fluid into the lumen of the inflamed gallbladder averaging 0.43 +/- 0.18 ml/h. Injection of VIP antiserum, obtained from immunized rabbits and diluted with saline 1:10 in a bolus of 4 ml into the coeliac artery reversed this secretion into an absorption of 1.72 +/- 0.44 ml h-1 (P < 0.001). VIP-antiserum did not affect the fluid adsorption in control animals with an intact gallbladder and injection of control serum from rabbits not immunized to VIP did not affect fluid secretion in the inflamed gallbladders. The results support the idea that the inflammatory fluid secretion in the gallbladder mucosa is mediated by VIP-ergic nerve fibres.

Topics: Animals; Bile; Cats; Cholecystitis; Disease Models, Animal; Exudates and Transudates; Female; Gallbladder; Immune Sera; Male; Mucous Membrane; Rabbits; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

Intravenous infusion of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) causes gallbladder mucosal fluid secretion by an action on epithelial cell receptors in the cat. Gallbladder fluid secretion is observed also in experimental cholecystitis and this secretion is abolished when the intramural gallbladder nerves are blocked. In the present study, immunoreactive VIP was detected in the gallbladder contents (29 +/- 5 (S.E.M.) pM) in the obstructed lumen of the gallbladder in cats with experimental cholecystitis and gallbladder mucosal fluid secretion, but not in the normal feline gallbladder. During luminal perfusion of the gallbladder in vivo, the calculated secretion of VIP into the gallbladder lumen in animals with experimental cholecystitis was significantly higher (0.31 +/- 0.08 (S.E.M.), pmol/h) than in controls (0.11 +/- 0.02 (S.E.M.), pmol/h) while plasma levels of VIP were similar. Recovery of exogenously administered VIP was similar in normal and inflamed gallbladders. The present results support the hypothesis that intramural VIP-releasing nerve fibers may be activated in cholecystitis.

Topics: Animals; Cats; Cholecystitis; Female; Gallbladder; Male; Radioimmunoassay; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide