Elsevier

Neuroscience

Volume 67, Issue 4, August 1995, Pages 953-966
Neuroscience

Capsaicin treatment induces selective sensory degeneration and increased sympathetic innervation in the rat ureter

https://doi.org/10.1016/0306-4522(95)00102-OGet rights and content

Abstract

Quantitative immunohistochemistry was used to study the innervation of the ureter in adult rats pretreated with capsaicin as neonates (50 mg/kg) or as adults (100–150 mg/kg, 10–22 days prior to being killed) using antibodies against protein gene-prodcut 9.5, neuron-specific enolase, substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide, neuropeptide Y, dopamine-β-hydroxylase and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide.

The number of calcitonin gene-related peptide- and substance P-containing fibres was reduced in the subepithelial plexus (adult capsaicin treatment < 1%, neonatal treatmeth < 5% of control), the submucosa (adult treatment < 11%; neonatal treatment < 58%). Fibres immunoreactive for protein gene-product 9.5, a general neuronal marker, were reduced to 11% (adult treatment) or 0.5% (neonatal treatment) in the subepithelial plexus, but unchanged in the other layers, indicating a selective regional degeneration. In the smooth muscle layer the number of neuropeptide Y- and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-containing nerve fibres was not altered by capsaicin. The number of neuropeptide Y fibres in the subepithelial plexus, however, was significantly increased after adult treatment (174% of control). After neonatal capsaicin treatment the intensity of the neuropeptide Y immunoreactivity was increased, more neuropeptide Y-positive nerve bundles were found and immunoreactive cell bodies were observed regularly in the adventitia of the ureter.

The data indicate that capsaicin produces a selective degeneration of most afferent fibres in the subepithelial plexus of the rat ureter. This loss of capsaicin-sensitive afferent nerves evokes neuroplastic changes resulting in a hyperinnervation by neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive, presumably sympathetic fibres. The results suggest a mutual regulation of the pattern and density of innervation of peripheral target tissues by sensory and sympathetic neurons.

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