The effects of hibernation on the myenteric plexus of the golden hamster small and large intestine

Abstract

We have examined the effects of hibernation on the neurochemical composition of myenteric neurones in the small and large intestine of the golden hamster using immunohistochemical and histochemical techniques. Hibernation was induced in golden hamsters by altering the photoperiod and external ambient temperature. Age-matched hamsters kept at room temperature and those kept at 5 degrees C but which failed to hibernate were used as controls. Cell counts were carried out to examine possible changes in the numbers of cell bodies immunoreactive to all of the markers examined. The results demonstrated a significant increase during hibernation in the number of neurones immunoreactive to vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide; cell bodies positive for tyrosine hydroxylase, which were largely absent in the control animals, were prominent in the hibernating animals. There was a significant decrease in the number of neurones immunoreactive to 5-hydroxytryptamine, and no significant changes in the numbers of neurones immunoreactive to protein gene-product and nitric oxide synthase. It is suggested that selective upregulation and downregulation of myenteric neurones containing certain neurotransmitters may occur as a protective mechanism during hibernation to maintain the integrity of the muscular and mucosal layers of the intestine in the absence of luminal contents.

Mammalian Hibernation: Cellular and Molecular Responses to Depressed Metabolism and Low Temperature

“…There are significant changes in the pattern of distribution of myenteric neurons in the gut of active and hibernating hamsters. Numbers of myenteric neurons immunoreactive for serotonin are reduced during hibernation, whereas those containing tyrosine hydroxylase, substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide, and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide are increased (238). The functional significance of these changes has yet to be identified.…”

Autonomic Neurotransmission: 60 Years Since Sir Henry Dale

“…In a series of studies on hibernation, we showed that changes in expression of transmitters and associated enzymes occurred in both the cardiovascular and visceral systems of hibernating hamsters (77)(78)(79). For example, NOS-positive and endothelin-positive endothelial cells were significantly lower than those observed in active, cold-exposed, or aroused animals, whereas there was an increase in TH-and NPY-immunoreactive perivascular nerves.…”

Enteric neuroplasticity in seawater‐adapted European eel (Anguilla anguilla)

“…; Toole et al. ). In general, malnutrition or protein deprivation studies demonstrated that the number of enteric neurons did not decrease in the rat small intestine (Natali et al.…”

“…Contradicting data have been reported concerning the effect of starvation on the density (and neurochemistry) of enteric neurons in mammals (Shochina et al 1997;Toole et al 1999). In general, malnutrition or protein deprivation studies demonstrated that the number of enteric neurons did not decrease in the rat small intestine (Natali et al 2003;Moreira et al 2008), and caloric restriction appears to have a protective effect on myenteric neurons during aging (da Silva et al 2012).…”