This work demonstrates that I/R is associated with a significant loss of different subpopulations of neurons in the myenteric plexus accompanied by morphological changes, all of which may underlie conditions related to intestinal motility disorder.

Obesity may exert its effects by promoting a decrease in P2X2 receptor expression and modifications in the density of the NOS-ir, ChAT-ir and CalR-ir myenteric neurons.

DEDICATÓRIA "Se eu vi mais longe foi por estar de pé sobre ombros de gigantes". Isaac Newton "Rir muito e sempre, ganhar o respeito das pessoas inteligentes e o afeto das crianças, merecer a consideração dos críticos honestos e resistir à traição dos falsos amigos, apreciar a beleza, descobrir o melhor nos outros, deixar o mundo um pouco melhor, seja por uma criança saudável, pela construção de um jardim ou uma condição social mais justa. Saber que ao menos alguém respirou mais fácil porque você existiu. Isso é ter tido sucesso."

Duchenne-like muscular dystrophy (canine dystrophinopathy) is a hereditary degenerative disease characterized by muscle changes similar to those described for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and by alterations in the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. Some authors have suggested that these abnormalities may be associated with intestinal motility. This study analyzed the nitrergic and cholinergic neurons and P2X7 receptor expression in the myenteric plexus of the ileum and distal colon of dogs with muscular dystrophy. Immunohistochemical techniques were used to detect nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and acetylcholine transferase (ChAT) expression and to label all HuC/D- and P2X7 receptor-immunoreactive (IR) neurons. Transmission electron microscopy and basic histology were performed for further analysis. The results showed that nitrergic neurons exhibited a Dogiel type I morphology in the ileum and distal colon. The neuronal profile results showed that there were fewer NOS-, ChAT-, and HuC/D-IR neurons in the ileum than in the distal colon in the dystrophic (DT) dogs. Additionally, there were more NOS-, ChAT- and HuC/D-IR neurons per ganglion in the distal colon than in the ileum. The P2X7 receptor-expressing neurons colocalized with nitrergic and cholinergic neurons. Transmission and light microscopy revealed collagen between the muscle fibers, between the circular and longitudinal muscle layers and within the myenteric ganglia of dogs with muscular dystrophy. These findings provide a morphological description of the myenteric neurons in the ileum and distal colon of these DT dogs and may contribute to a better understanding of the gastrointestinal disorders found in patients with DMD. Anat Rec, 301:673-685, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.