Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Immunoreactive nerve fibers in the nasal mucosa

An experimental study on neuropeptides Y, calcitonin gene-related peptide and galanin

  • Original Investigation
  • Published:
European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The presence of immunoreactive nervous fibers in the respiratory nasal mucosa of rats and guinea pigs was studied by means of a modified peroxidase antiperoxidase technique for whole mounting. The fibers with neuropeptide Y (NPY) always appeared in the walls of blood vessels, while the fibers immunoreactive to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were found in nerve tracts near the vessels and the acini of seromucous glands as thick networks located in the subepithelial layers. Immunoreactivity (IR) for galanin was found in the mucosa studied. The findings after surgical and chemical denervation of the trigeminal and superior cervical ganglia may support the theory that the fibers with NPY are of a sympathetic nature with the superior cervical ganglion their site of origin, while the CGRP-IR fibers may have a sensory nature.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Annggärd A, Densert O (1974) Adrenergic innervation of the nasal mucosa of the cat. Acta Otolaryngol (Stockh) 78:232–241

    Google Scholar 

  2. Brain SD, Williams TJ, Tippins JR, Morris HR, MacIntyre I (1987) Calcitonin gene-related peptide is a potent vasodilatator. Nature 313:54–56

    Google Scholar 

  3. Cauna N, Cauna D, Hinderer KH (1972) Innervation of human nasal glands. J Neurocytol 1:49–60

    Google Scholar 

  4. Cheung A, Polak JM, Bauer FE, Cadieux A, Christofides ND, Springall DE, Bloom SR (1985) Distribution of galanin immunoreactivity in the respiratory tract of pig, guinea-pig, rat and dog. Thorax 40:889–896

    Google Scholar 

  5. Ekblad E, Edvinsson L, Wahlestedt C, Uddmann R, Hakanson R, Sundler F (1984) Neuropeptide Y co-exists and co-operates with noradrenalin in perivascular nerve fibers. Regul Pept 8:225–235

    Google Scholar 

  6. Fowler BP (1943) Unilateral vasomotor rhinitis due to interference with the cervical sympathetic system. Arch Otolaryngol 37:710–712

    Google Scholar 

  7. Golding-Wood PH (1961) Observations on petrosal and vidian neurectomy in chronic vasomotor rhinitis. J Laryngol Otol 75:232–237

    Google Scholar 

  8. Ishii T (1970) The cholinergic innervation of the human nasal mucosa. Pract Oto-Rhino-Laryngol 32:153–158

    Google Scholar 

  9. Ishii T, Toriyama M (1972) Acethylcholinesterase activity in the vasomotor and secretory fibers of the nose. Arch Klin Exp Ohren-Nasen-Kehlkopfheilkd 210:1–10

    Google Scholar 

  10. Jarvi R, Helen P, Pelto-Huikko M, Hervonen A (1986) Neuropeptide Y (NPY)-like immunoreactivity in the rat sympathetic neurons and small granule-containing cells. Neurosci Lett 67:223–227

    Google Scholar 

  11. Kurian SS, Blank MA, Sheppard MN, Stanley JJ, McKay IS, Cole PJ, Bloom SR, Polak JM (1983) Vasoactive intestinal polipeptide (VIP) in vasomotor rhinitis. IRCS Med Sci 11:425–426

    Google Scholar 

  12. Lee Y, Kawai Y, Shiosaka S, Takami K, Kijama H, Hilliard CJ, MacIntyre I, Emson PC, Tohyama M (1985) Coexistence of calcitonin gene-related peptide and substance P-like peptide in single cells of trigeminal ganglion of the rat: immunohistochemical analysis. Brain Res 330:194–196

    Google Scholar 

  13. Lundberg JM, Terenius L, Hofkeit T, Martling CR, Takemoto K, Mutt V, Polak JM, Bloom SR, Goldstein M (1980) Neuropeptide Y (NPY)-like immunoreactivity in peripheral noradrenergic neurons and effects of NPY on sympathetic function. Acta Physiol Scand 16:477–480

    Google Scholar 

  14. Lundblad L (1984) Protective reflexes and vascular effects in the nasal mucosa elicited by activation of capsaicin-sensitive substance P-immunoreactive trigeminal neurons. Acta Physiol Scand [Suppl] 529:1–42

    Google Scholar 

  15. Malconson KG (1959) The vasomotor activity of the nasal membrane. J Laryngol Otol 73:73–96

    Google Scholar 

  16. Polak JM, Bloom SR (1978) Peptidergic nerves of the gastrointestinal tract. Invest Cell Pathol 1:310–326

    Google Scholar 

  17. Uddman R, Hakanson R, Sundler F (1980) Immunoreactive avian oancreatic polypeptide occurs in nerves of the mammalian nasal mucosa and Eustachian tube. ORL 42:242–248

    Google Scholar 

  18. Uddman E, Malm L, Sundler F (1981) Peptide containing nerves in the nasal mucosa. Rhinology 19:75–80

    Google Scholar 

  19. Uddman R, Edvinsson L, Ekman R, Klingman T, MacKullog J (1985) Innervation of the felline cerebral vasculature by nerve fibers containing calcitonin gene-related peptide: trigeminal origin and co-existence with substance P. Neurosci Lett 62:131–136

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Amores, A.E., Sprekelsen, C. & Sernal-Sprekelsen, M. Immunoreactive nerve fibers in the nasal mucosa. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 248, 487–491 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00627640

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00627640

Key words

Navigation