Changes in distribution of cholinergic and nitrergic nerves in antrum of rats with liver failure

Objective To observe the changes in gastric emptying and distribution of cholinergic and nitrergic nerves in the myenteric plexus of the antrum of rats with liver failure. Methods Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group and liver failure model group. The gastric emptying of rats was evaluated using Dextran blue 2000 as an indicator. The cholinergic and nitrergic nerves in the myenteric plexus of the antrum were observed by acetylcholinesterase and NADPH-d histochemical staining and whole-mount preparation of the myenteric plexus and were then quantitatively analyzed. Continuous data were expressed as mean ± SD, and comparison between groups was made by t test. Results Compared with the control group, the liver failure model group had significantly reduced gastric emptying ( 163. 00 ± 25. 68 vs 100. 00 ±18. 93, P < 0. 01) , a significantly reduced number of positive cholinergic neurons ( with significantly thinner fibers) in the myenteric plexus of the antrum ( t = 3. 201, P < 0. 01) , and a significantly increased number of positive nitrergic neurons and fibers ( t = 2. 912, P < 0. 01) . Conclusion For rats with liver failure, declining gastric function is associated with a reduced number of cholinergic nerves and an increased number of nitrergic nerves in the myenteric plexus of the antrum.