Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The adrenergic innervation of the vessels supplying and draining the gastrointestinal tract

  • Published:
Zeitschrift für Zellforschung und Mikroskopische Anatomie Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The fluorescence histochemical method has been used to investigate the adrenergic innervation of the vessels of the gastrointestinal tract. Both stretch preparations and sections of blood vessels taken from cats, guinea-pigs, rabbits and rats were examined. A dense innervation of the major mesenteric arteries and their branches was found. Most of the nerve fibres are at the adventitio-medial border, but a few fibres penetrate the mediae of some large arteries. The innervation of the arterial branches in the gut wall is also dense, particularly in the submucosa. Generally, adrenergic nerves do not accompany capillaries. Arterio-venous shunts are apparently without any specialised adrenergic innervation. The veins of the gut wall are very sparsely supplied by adrenergic nerves but, except in the cat, as the veins increase in size towards the hepatic portal vein their density of innervation also increases. The hepatic portal vein is heavily innervated, most of the nerves being at the outer limit of the circular muscle. The innervation of the vessels of the gastrointestinal tract is correlated with their responses to the stimulation of sympathetic nerves.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anrep, G., Cerque, S., Samaan, A.: The effect of muscular contraction upon blood flow in skeletal muscle, the diaphragm and small intestine. Proc. roy. Soc. B 114, 245–247 (1934).

    Google Scholar 

  • Baumgarten, H. G.: Über die Verteilung von Catecholaminen im Darm des Menschen. Z. Zellforsch. 83, 133–146 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bayliss, W. M.: The vasomotor system. London: Longmans 1923.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Starling, E. H.: On the origin from the spinal cord of the vasoconstrictor nerves of the portal vein. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 17, 120–128 (1894).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Starling, E. H.]: The movements and innervation of the small intestine. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 24, 99–143 (1899).

    Google Scholar 

  • Biber, B., Jodal, M., Lundgren, O., Svanvik, J.: Intestinal vasodilatation after mechanical stimulation of the jejunal mucosa. Experientia (Basel) 26, 263–264 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Boenheim, F.: Über das Minutenvolumen des Magens und seine Beeinflussung durch Blutdruck, durch Vagusreizung, durch Histamin und durch Organextrakte. Z. ges. exp. Med. 71, 88–107 (1930).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bülbring, E., Burn, J. H.: Sympathetic vasodilatation in skin and intestine of the dog. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 87, 254–274 (1936).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bunch, J. L.: On the vasomotor nerves of the small intestine. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 24, 72–98 (1899).

    Google Scholar 

  • Burton-Opitz, R.: Über die Strömung des Blutes in dem Gebiete der Pfortader. III. Das Stromvolum der Vena gastrica. Pflügers Arch. ges. Physiol. 135, 205–244 (1910).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The vascularity of the liver. VI. The influence of the greater splanchnic nerves on venous inflow. Quart. J. exp. Physiol. 5, 189–196 (1912).

    Google Scholar 

  • Celander, O.: Are there any centrally controlled sympathetic inhibitory fibres to the musculature of the intestine ? Acta physiol. scand. 47, 299–309 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  • Corrodi, H., Jonsson, G.: The formaldehyde fluorescence method for histochemical demonstration of biogenic monoamines. A review of the methodology. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 15, 65–78 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Deal, C. P., Green, H. D.: Comparison of change in mesenteric resistance following splanchnic nerve stimulation with responses to epinephrine and norepinephrine. Circulat. Res. 4, 38–44 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  • Falck, B.: Observations on the possibilities of the cellular localization of monoamines by a fluorescence method. Acta physiol. scand. 56, suppl. 197, 1–26 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Francois-Frank, C. A., Hallion, L.: Recherches expérimentales sur l'innervation vaso-constrictive du foie (2e mémoire:topographie). Arch. de Physiol. norm. path. 8, 923–936 (1896).

    Google Scholar 

  • Friesen, S., Hemingway, A.: The vascular response of the stomach to experimental alterations in the autonomic nervous system of the dog. Amer. Surg. 18, 195–200 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  • Furness, J. B.: The origin and distribution of adrenergic nerve fibres in the guinea-pig colon. Histochemie 21, 295–306 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Moore, J.: The adrenergic innervation of the cardiovascular system of the lizard, Trachysaurus rugosua. Z. Zellforsch. 108, 150–176 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gabella, G., Costa, M.: Le fibre adrenergiche nel canale alimentare. G. Accad. Med. Torino 130, 1–12 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Grant, R. T.: Observations on direct communications between arteries and veins in the rabbit's ear. Heart 15, 281–303 (1930).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hallion, L., Francois-Frank, C. A.: Recherches expérimentales exécutées à l'aide d'un nouvel appareil volumétrique sur l'innervation vaso motrice de l'intestin (I). Arch. de Physiol norm. path. 8, 478–492 (1896a).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hallion, L., Francois-Frank, C. A.: Recherches expérimentales exécutées à l'aide d'un nouvel appareil volumétrique sur l'innervation vasomotrice de l'intestin (II). Arch. de Physiol. norm. path. 8, 493–508 (1896b).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, K. T., Moore, F. T.: Pressure-volume relationships and blood flow in the distended colon. Amer. J. Physiol. 217, 35–39 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Holman, M. E., Kasby, C. B., Suthers, M. B., Wilson, J. A. F.: Some properties of the smooth muscle of rabbit portal vein. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 196, 111–132 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, McLean, A.: The innervation of sheep mesenteric veins. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 190, 55–70 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hultén, L., Jodal, M., Lundgren, O.: The effects of graded electrical stimulation or reflex activation of the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nerve supply on the regional blood flow in cat colon. Bibl. anat. (Basel) 10, 312–315 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobowitz, D.: Histochemical studies of the autonomic innervation of the gut. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 149, 358–364 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Johansson, B., Ljung, B.: Sympathetic control of rhythmically active vascular smooth muscle as studied by a nerve-muscle preparation of portal vein. Acta physiol. scand. 70, 299–311 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • - -Malmfors, T., Olson, L.: Prejunctional supersensitivity in the rat portal vein as related to its pattern of innervation. Acta physiol. scand., Suppl. (in press) (1970).

  • Kock, N. G.: An experimental analysis of mechanisms engaged in reflex inhibition of intestinal motility. Acta physiol. scand. 47, suppl. 164, 1–54 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kure, K., Ikeda, B., Ichiko, K. I., Wada, Y.: On the spinal parasympathetic. Fifth article. Physiological significance of the spinal parasympathetic. The spinal parasympathetic as vasodilator for the stomach and intestines. Quart. J. exp. Physiol. 21, 119–121 (1932).

    Google Scholar 

  • Langen, C. D. de: The peripheral circulation of blood, lymph and tissular fluid. Haarlem (Netherlands): de Erven, F. Bohn, N.V. 1961.

  • Latschenberger, J., Deahna, A.: Beiträge zur Lehre von der reflectorischen Erregung der Gefäßmuskeln. Pflügers Arch. ges. Physiol. 12, 157–204 (1876).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawson, H., Chumley, J.: The effect of distension on blood flow through the intestine. Amer. J. Physiol. 131, 368–377 (1940).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lim, R. K. S., Necheles, H., Ni, T. G.: The vaso motor reactions of the (vivi perfused) stomach. Chin. J. Physiol. 1, 381–396 (1927).

    Google Scholar 

  • Loizou, L., Tindall, A. B.: The monoaminergic innervation of mesenteric veins. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 201, 19–20 P (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Mall, F. P.: A study of intestinal contraction. Johns Hopk. Hosp. Bep. 1, 37–75 (1896a).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The contractions of the vena portae and its influence upon the circulation. Johns Hopk. Hosp. Bep. 1, 111–156 (1896b).

    Google Scholar 

  • Malmfors, T.: Studies on adrenergic nerves. Acta physiol. scand. 64, Suppl. 248, 1–93 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohri, K., Ohgushi, N., Ikeda, M., Yamamoto, K., Tsunekawa, K., Fujiwara, M., Moryobayashi, T.: Histochemical demonstration of adrenergic fibres in the smooth muscle layer of media of arteries supplying abdominal organs. Arch. Jap. Chir. 38, 236–248 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Muryobayashi, T., Fujiwara, M., Shimamoto, K.: Fluorescence histochemical findings of the stomach walls in response to ulcerogenic stimuli in rats. Jap. J. Pharmacol. 18, 299–311 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Norberg, K. A.: Transmitter histochemistry of the sympathetic adrenergic nervous system. Brain Res. 5, 125–170 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Hamberger, B.: The sympathetic adrenergic neuron. Acta physiol. scand. 63, Suppl. 238, 1–42 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Peters, K., Womack, N.: Hemodynamics of gastric secretion. Ann. Surg. 148, 537–548 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  • Read, J. B., Burnstock, G.: Comparative histochemical studies of adrenergic nerves in the enteric plexuses of vertebrate large intestine. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 27, 505–517 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Schnitzlein, H.: Begulation of blood flow through the stomach of the rat. Anat. Rec. 127, 735–753 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sidky, M., Bean, J. W.: Influence of rhythmic and tonic contraction of intestinal muscle on blood flow and blood reservoir capacity in dog intestine. Amer. J. Physiol. 193, 386–392 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, J., Vane, J.: Gastric secretion induced by histamine and its relationship to the rate of blood flow. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 121, 433–444 (1953).

    Google Scholar 

  • Walder, D. N.: Investigation of the arterio-venous anastomoses in the stomach wall of man. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 112, 38P (1951).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Some observations on the blood flow of the human stomach. In: CIBA Symposium on the Visceral Circulation, ed. G.E.W. Wolstenholme. London: Churchill 1952.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    J. B. Furness

Authors
  1. J. B. Furness
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

This work was supported by grants from the National Heart Foundation of Australia and from the Australian Research Grants Committee.

I should like to thank Professor G. Burnstock for his support and for his constructive criticism of the manuscript.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Furness, J.B. The adrenergic innervation of the vessels supplying and draining the gastrointestinal tract. Z. Zellforsch. 113, 67–82 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00331202

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00331202

Key-Words

Search

Navigation