Abstract
To provide a morphological basis for understanding the role of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) in the regulation mammalian pancreatic exocrine secretion, the present study was designed to clarify the localization and distribution of VIP in the exocrine pancreas, especially its relationship with the pancreatic acinar cells. VIP was detected in the dog pancreas using immunoelectron microscopical methods. The pancreas was found to contain VIP-immunoreactive (VIP-IR) nerve fibre terminals. These VIP-IR nerve fibre terminals have in some cases in close vicinity with the acinar cells. Some VIP-IR nerve fibres were found in the connective tissue stroma enclosed in Schwann cell processes. It is concluded that the morphological relationship of VIP nerve fibre terminals to the acinar cells is very intimate. This close association may explain why VIP is a strong bioactive stimulator of the exocrine pancreas.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 255-260 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Biogenic Amines |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - 1995 |
Keywords
- Acinar cells
- Dog
- Innervation
- Pancreas
- VIP
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neuroscience(all)
- Pharmacology