Demonstration of the Adrenergic Nerves in the Rat Gastric Mucosa

A Histofluorescence and Electron Microscopic Study in Comparison with the Distribution of the Cholinergic Nerves

Abstract

In the present study, the adrenergic nervous system in the gastric mucosa of the rat glandular stomach was reevaluated in comparison with the distribution of the cholinergic nerves by histofluorescence and electron microscopy. The “dual” nerves comprizing both cholinergic and adrenergic nerve axons were found to exist predominantly in the basal two-thirds of the fundic mucosal layer. The distribution of the adrenergic nerves, however, was scarce as compared with that of the cholinergic nerves. Both nerve fibers terminate more frequently on the true capillaries than on the epithelial cells of the fundic gland, suggesting that the gastric mucosal microcirculation is more intensely influenced by the autonomic nervous system than the gastric secretion.