Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide levels in sigmoid colon in idiopathic constipation and diverticular disease

Abstract

The distribution in the bowel wall of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-, neuropeptide Y-, and substance P-containing nerve cell bodies and nerve fibers has been described in human sigmoid colon by immunohistochemical examination. In patients with chronic idiopathic constipation, diverticular disease, and in controls (of tissue taken from patients with carcinoma, from a site distant from the tumor that appeared macroscopically normal), the concentrations of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, neuropeptide Y, and substance P have been measured by immunoassay in the following preparations of sigmoid colon: mucosa, whole colonic wall with mucosa dissected away, circular muscle, and taenia coli. ..