Enteric neuroglial apoptosis in inflammatory bowel diseases
Received 8 May 2009; received in revised form 9 June 2009; accepted 9 June 2009. published online 14 July 2009.
Abstract
Background
Enteric nervous system abnormalities have been described in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. However, the mechanisms responsible for these abnormalities remain to date largely unknown.
Aims
We investigated the potential role of apoptotic phenomena in enteric neurons and enteroglial cells in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.
Patients and methods
Full-thickness surgical specimens of 19 patients undergoing surgery for medically refractory disease (9 from the ileum of patients with Crohn's disease, 10 from the colon of patients with ulcerative colitis) were assessed for the presence of enteric neurons and enteroglial cells and for their apoptosis by two immunohistochemical methods, one also able to distinguish apoptosis from necrosis. The results were compared with those obtained in control specimens.
Results
Concerning Crohn's disease, the ileal segments displayed a significant increase of apoptotic enteric neurons and enteroglial cells in both the submucous and the myenteric plexus compared to controls. In patients with ulcerative colitis, compared to controls, apoptotic phenomena were significantly reduced in enteric neurons, whereas they were increased in the enteroglial cell population (submucous and myenteric plexus).
Conclusions
In patients with inflammatory bowel disease apoptotic phenomena involve both enteric neurons and enteroglial cells, and may play a role in the abnormalities of the enteric nervous system. The importance of these findings in the pathophysiology of these conditions remains to be determined.
aGastroenterology and Hepatology Section, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy
b2nd Department of Pathology, Spedali Civili and University of Brescia, Italy
cDepartment of Surgery, Spedali Civili and University of Brescia, Italy
Corresponding author. Clinica di Gastroenterologia ed Epatologia, Ospedale Santa Maria della Misericordia, Piazzale Menghini, 1 06156 San Sisto (Perugia), Italy. Tel.: +39 075 578 3206.
ABSTRACT