Colocalization of Neuropeptide Y with Other Neurochemical Markers in the Guinea-pig Small Intestine

Abstract

The chemical coding and projections of neurons containing neuropeptide Y (NPY) have been investigated in the myenteric plexus of the guinea-pig small intestine. Chemical coding was determined by investigating the colocalization of NPY immunoreactivity with the immunoreactivities for bombesin (BN), 5-HT, nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and somatostatin. Projections were determined by studying the consequences of nerve lesions created by myectomy and myotomy operations. NPY immunoreactivity was localized in four classes of myenteric neuron, anally projecting interneurons, neurons that projected anally and to the circular muscle, neurons projecting to the longitudinal muscle and in a small populat..