Neurochemical Plasticity of nNOS-, VIP- and CART-Immunoreactive Neurons Following Prolonged Acetylsalicylic Acid Supplementation in the Porcine Jejunum

Abstract

Aspirin, also known as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), is a commonly used anti-inflammatory drug that has analgesic and antipyretic properties. The side effects are well known, however, knowledge concerning its influence on gastric and intestinal innervation is limited. The enteric nervous system (ENS) innervates the whole gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and is comprised of more than one hundred million neurons. The capacity of neurons to adapt to microenvironmental influences, termed as an enteric neuronal plasticity, is an essential adaptive response to various pathological stimuli. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to determine the influence of prolonged ASA supplementation on the immunolocalization of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and cocaine- and amphetamine- regulated transcript peptide (CART) in the porcine jejunum. The experiment was performed on 8 Pietrain × Duroc immature gilts. Using routine double-labelling immunofluorescence, we revealed that the ENS nerve cells underwent adaptive changes in response to the induced inflammation, which was manifested by upregulated or downregulated expression of the studied neurotransmitters. Our results suggest the participation of nNOS, VIP and CART in the development of inflammation and may form the basis for further neuro-gastroenterological research.

CART mitigates oxidative stress and DNA damage in memory deficits of APP/PS1 mice via upregulating β‑amyloid metabolism‑associated enzymes

“…In the pancreas, CART serves a physiological role in regulating both endocrine and exocrine pancreatic secretions ( 20 ). CART also regulates islet hormone secretion ( 21 ) and gastrointestinal tract motility ( 22 ). A previous study demonstrated that CART is positively associated with oxidative stress ( 23 ).…”

Administration of Different Doses of Acrylamide Changed the Chemical Coding of Enteric Neurons in the Jejunum in Gilts

“…It should be added that other toxic substances entering the gastrointestinal tract, such as bisphenol A, also cause significant changes in the expression of the same substances in the neurons of the jejunum [ 30 ]. Long-term use of aspirin also causes changes in the chemical phenotype of the neurons of the enteric nervous system of the porcine jejunum which confirms the adaptability of the enteric neurons to adverse factors and pathological conditions [ 36 ].…”

Effect of NSAIDs Supplementation on the PACAP-, SP- and GAL-Immunoreactive Neurons in the Porcine Jejunum

“…The jejunal sections were subjected to double fluorescence immunohistochemical staining to determine the phenotype of enteric neurons in experimental and control animals; these methods were the same as described in a previous paper [ 48 ]. In the first stage of the study, the slides were dried at room temperature for one hour and then washed in 0.1 M phosphate buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4) for 3 × 10 min.…”