Yahe Shiotani

An arcuato-paraventricular and -dorsomedial hypothalamic neuropeptide Y-containing system which lacks noradrenaline in the rat.

The origins of neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactive (NPYI) fibers in the paraventricular and dorsomedial hypothalamic nuclei of the rat were examined using immunohistochemistry. Destruction of the arcuate nucleus resulted in a marked decrease of NPYI fibers ipsilaterally in these nuclei, suggesting that most of NPYI fibers in these nuclei originate from NPYI neurons in the arcuate nucleus. These NPYI systems did not contain noradrenalin.

Effect of calcitonin gene-related peptide on contraction of striated muscle in the mouse

We have found ultrastructurally calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity in the axon terminal within the synaptic trough of neuromuscular junction of the mouse. We determined, using pharmacological means, with a phrenic nerve-diaphragm preparation, that this peptide enhances muscle contraction during stimulation of the nerve fibers or direct stimulation of the muscle. This effect is probably brought about via the receptor for this peptide not the acetylcholine receptor.

Distribution and origins of substance P (SP)-, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)- and neuropeptide Y (NPY)-containing nerve fibers in the pineal gland of gerbils

In the pineal gland of gerbils, substance P (SP)-, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)- and neuropeptide Y (NPY)-containing nerve fibers were demonstrated immunohistochemically. After intrapineal injection of biotin-wheat germ agglutinin, origins of fibers were examined by the combined technique of tracing method and immunohistochemistry. It was confirmed that SP- and CGRP-fibers originated from the trigeminal ganglion, VIP-fibers from the pterygopalatine ganglion and NPY-fibers from the superior cervical ganglion.

The histaminergic innervation of the mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve in rat brain: a light and electron microscopical study

Histaminergic fibers in the mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve of Long-Evans rats were examined by light and electron microscopy after peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunocytochemical staining for histidine decarboxylase (HDC) as a marker. By light microscopy, neurons in the mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve were seen to be surrounded by a number of HDC-like immunoreactive (HDCI) fibers, suggesting the presence of axo-somatic contact. This finding was supported by immunoelectron microscopic demonstration of synaptic contact of some HDCI fibers with the soma of the neurons in this nucleus. These findings indicate that histamine is involved in the sensory regulation of movement of the masticatory muscles at the level of the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus.

An electron microscopic study on stellate cells in the rabbit adenohypophysis under various endocrine conditions.

SummaryStellate cells in the rabbit adenohypophysis were observed electron microscopically under normal and experimental conditions such as lactation, thyroidectomy, adrenalectomy, or castration.In control animals stellate cells had a scanty cytoplasm surrounding the nucleus and possessed slender processes extending between granulated cells. The processes were interconnected by desmosomes to form a meshwork. In the cytoplasm, abundant microfilaments were present as well as ill-developed ordinary cell organelles, but secretory granules were absent.In the adenohypophysis of experimental groups, in which the granulated cells underwent characteristic changes, stellate cells also showed remarkable morphological alterations which were similar in all groups. In general, they became hypertrophied, and contained a well-developed Golgi apparatus and rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. Lysosomes or lipid droplets were frequently encountered. Between adjacent stellate cells, intercellular canals were markedly developed and many microvilli were noticed.Based on the above data, it is suggested that the stellate cells are not only sustentacular elements, but play an important role in the function of the adenohypophysis, such as the supply of materials to granulated cells or the disposal of waste products.

Distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide-containing fibers in the urinary bladder of the rat and their origin

SummaryBy use of indirect immunofluorescence, this study demonstrated the presence of calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactive (CGRPI) fibers in the bladder of the rat. These fibers were abundant in the muscle layer, in which they ran parallel to the muscles, submucosa, and epithelium. No immunoreactive cells were detected. We also examined the origins of these fibers, using a method that combined biotinized retrograde tracer (biotin-wheat germ agglutinin) (B-WGA) and immunocytochemistry. Injection of the tracer into the bladder resulted in the demonstration of small to medium-sized labeled cells that contain CGRPI structures in single dorsal root ganglion cells mostly at the level of L6 and S1, but also a few at L2.Double-staining for CGRPI and immunoreactive P-like substance (SPI) indicated that there are cells in the dorsal root ganglia at the level of L6 and S1 that react to both, but that there are many CGRPI-positive cells that contain no demonstrable SPI; most of the latter are large.

The distribution and projection of γ-melanocyte stimulating hormone in the rat brain: An immunohistochemical analysis

The distribution and projection of immunoreactive gamma-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (gamma-MSHI) in the rat brain was examined by indirect immunofluorescence using an antiserum against synthetic rat gamma-MSH. The present study confirmed the presence of gamma-MSHI neurons in the arcuate nucleus and further demonstrated that the n. commissuralis is a new gamma-MSHI neurons-containing site. We also found a gamma-MSHI fiber network in the hypothalamus, thalamus, amygdala, central gray matter of the midbrain and upper pons, and further demonstrated a much more extensive distribution of these fibers particularly in the medulla oblongata, an area previously thought not to contain gamma-MSHI structures. The present observation on the normal distribution of gamma-MSHI suggested the existence of two different systems: one is the arcuatofugal gamma-MSH system and the other n. commissuralis gamma-MSH system. Using experimental manipulations, we clearly established that gamma-MSHI fibers in the forebrain, diencephalon, midbrain and upper pons originate from gamma-MSHI neurons in the arcuate nucleus and those in the medulla oblongata from the n. commissuralis .

Localization of Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase‐Activating Polypeptide (PACAP) in the Hypothalamus‐Pituitary System in Rats: Light and Electron Microscopic Immunocytochemical Studies

The localization of pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP) in the hypothalamus‐pituitary system in rats was examined in light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry using a specific antiserum to synthetic PACAP 1–38 (R0831). In light microscopic study, intensely PACAP‐immunostained perikarya were observed in the supraoptic and paraventricular magnocellular nucleus in the hypothalamus. In the median eminence, many immunoreactive nerve fibers were observed in the internal layer, but a few immunoreactive terminals were noticed in the external layer. In the pituitary gland, numerous immunoreactive nerve fibers were observed in the posterior lobe. In the intermediate lobe, moderately immunostained cells were observed, but in the anterior lobe no immunostained cells were noticed. In electron microscopic study, PACAP‐immunoreactivity was examined by avidin‐biotin peroxidase complex method. In the perikarya of the supraoptic and paraventricular magnocellular nucleus, DAB‐reaction products were distributed diffusely in the cytoplasmic matrix, frequently attaching to the rough‐surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. In the nerve terminals of the posterior lobe, reaction products were observed among the secretory granules, but sometimes upon them. In the cells of the intermediate lobe, reaction products were also distributed in the cytoplasmic matrix.

Coexistence of substance P- and enkephalin-like peptides in single neurons of the rat hypothalamus

The distribution of substance P- and enkephalin-like immunoreactivity in single cells were examined by the double immunofluorescence method. Substance P- and leucine-enkephalin-like compounds coexisted within individual neurons of some hypothalamic areas such as the medial preoptic area, anterior hypothalamic area, perifornical area, lateral hypothalamic area, premammillary nuclei and posterior hypothalamic nucleus, although they did not coexist in the majority of immunoreactive cells.

Ontogeny of substance p-containing structures in the ocular tissue of the rat: An immunohistochemical analysis

The ontogeny of the substance P-like immunoreactivity (SPI) containing system in the ocular tissue of the rat was examined by means of the indirect immunofluorescence method. SPI-containing amacrine cells first appeared at postnatal day 4 and displaced SPI-containing amacrine cells at postnatal day 5. After this time, they developed markedly reaching their maximum content and distribution at postnatal day 14. On the other hand, SPI-containing cells in the trigeminal ganglion were first seen at gestational day 17 and reached their maximum content at birth. SPI-containing fibers in the cornea and uvea were first observed at gestational days 17-19. The SPI-containing fibers in the iris reached their maximum content at birth, while those in the cornea, choroid and ciliary body were fully developed at postnatal day 3. In the adult rats, numerous SPI structures were still seen in the ocular tissue, retina, cornea and uvea. These findings suggest that SPI might play some role in the developing ocular tissue in addition to its neurotransmitter or neuromodulator role in the adult, because SPI structures appear in the retina before establishment of synaptogenesis and in the cornea and uvea during the fetal stage.