Morphometric and quantitative analyses were accomplished to study the effects of the consumption of alcohol above the size and density of the myenteric neurons of cecum of rats. Ten rats with 90 days were divided in the groups: control (C), and alcoholic (A). After 120 days of treatment with ethanol the cecum of both groups were collected, submitted it prepared of membranes that after carried out to Giemsa´s technique, permitted to evaluate the neuronal density, in an area of 13.44mm², and measure the cell body area of 300 neurons by group. The alcoholic rats presented an increase in the number of small neurons and a reduction of the big and medium neurons. The neuronal density verified in alcoholic rats was significantly reduced regarding the controls rats, however, that reduction left of be statistically significant when was projected the neuronal density for the total area of cecum, since the macroscopic observation showed that the alcoholic rats presented a cecum dilated. The alcoholism induced a significant reduction in the final body weight of the rats of the GA, provoked enlargement of cecum of the rats causing to a big dispersion neuronal. The enlargement of cecum of the alcoholic rats is probably associated with the functional alterations of the myenteric neurons that have repercussions in the tone of the intestinal smooth muscle.

Los análisis morfométrico y cuantitativo fueron hechos para estudiar los efectos del consumo de alcohol sobre el tamaño y densidad de las neuronas mientéricas del ciego de ratones. Diez ratones de 90 días, fueron divididos en los grupos: control (C), y alcohólico (A). Después de 120 días de tratamiento con etanol, los ciegos de ambos grupos fueron colectados, sometidos a preparación de membranas que después de coloreados por el método de Giemsa. Fue posible evaluar la densidad neuronal en un área de 13,44 mm², y medir el área del cuerpo celular de 300 neuronas por grupo. Los ratones alcohólicos presentaron un incremento en el número de neuronas pequeñas y una disminución de las neuronas medianas y grandes. La densidad neuronal verificada en los ratones alcohólicos fue significativamente reducida, en relación a los ratones controles. Esa reducción dejó de ser estadísticamente significativa cuando fue proyectada la densidad de las neuronas para el área del ciego, ya que la observación macroscópica mostraba que los ratones alcohólicos presentaban un ciego dilatado. El alcoholismo indujo una reducción significativa en el peso corporal final de los ratones del grupo A, provocó dilatación del ciego de los ratones, llevando a una gran dispersión neuronal. La dilatación del ciego de los ratones alcohólicos está probablemente asociada a alteraciones funcionales de las neuronas mientéricas que repercuten en el tono de la musculatura lisa intestinal.

We studied the effects of a severely hypoproteic diet on the quantitative aspects of the myenteric plexus of the descending colon of young rats. Eighteen rats were divided into two groups, one of them being fed with a chow having 26% protein (control) and the other with a chow having 4% protein, balanced for minerals and vitamins, during 12 weeks. The whole-mounts of the descending colon had their myenteric neurons stained either with Giemsa or NADPH diaphorase. The rats from the experimental group had deficits of body weight (54.23%) and area of the descending colon (48.14%); additionally, we observed that there was no alteration in the total number of neurons of the colon, but a decrease in the number of NADPH-diaphorase positive neurons (37.80%). The implications of these results concerning the priority that some cellular types may have when nutrients are less available are discussed

Estudiamos los efectos crónicos de una dieta severamente hipoproteica sobre los aspectos cuantitativos del plexo mientérico del colon descendente de ratones jóvenes. 18 ratones fueron divididos en dos grupos, a uno de estos grupos se le dió ración con contenido proteico del 26% (control) y al otro, ración con contenido proteico del 4%. Se mantuvo el balance vitamínico y mineral, durante 12 semanas. Elaboramos los preparados de membrana del colon descendente y marcamos las neuronas del plexo mientérico con Giemsa y NADPH-diaforasa. Los ratones del grupo experimental presentaron déficit de peso corporal (54,23%) y del área del colon descendente (48,14%); además, observamos que no hubo alteración en el número total de neuronas en todo el colon; sin embargo, hubo una disminución en la marcación de neuronas NADPH-diaforasa positivas (37,80%). Los resultados son discutidos, respecto a la prioridad que ciertos tipos celulares pudiesen tener, con la menor disponibilidad de nutrientes

The objective of our work was to verify, during an experimental period of 210 days, the possible effects of the ethanol on the morphology and density of the NADH-diaforase myenteric neurons in the jejunum of alcoholic rats. We used 10 animals (Rattus norvegicus) separated in 2 groups: the controls (n=5), that received a normal proteic diet (22%) and water ad libitum; the alcoholic, that received NUVILAB normal proteic chow (22%) and sugar cane brandy diluted at 30 Gay Lussac (30 v/v). The jejunum segment was collected and submitted to the histochemical technique to stain the nervous cells and, then, to the elaboration of membrane whole mounts. The observation through light microscopy showed that there are no expressive morphologic differences between the ganglia of neurons of the control and alcoholic rats. The counting of neurons, carried out in 40 microscopic fields (8.96µm²) in the control group, at the mesenteric and antimesenteric regions, found 1,131 and 693 neurons respectively, while, the alcoholic group found 1,229 and 860 neurons. The significant increase in the number of neurons in the mesenteric region, in the alcoholic rats, is due to the smaller physical growth of those animals when compared to the controls. The ethanol caused malnutrition and consequently the alcoholic rats showed a larger neuronal density due to its smaller dispersion

El objetivo del trabajo fue verificar, durante un período experimental de 210 días, los posibles efectos del etanol sobre la morfología y densidad de las neuronas mientéricas NADH-diaforasa, en el yeyuno de ratas alcohólicas. Utilizamos 10 animales (Rattus norvegicus) separadas en dos grupos: el control (n=5) que recibió una dieta proteica normal (22%) y agua ad libitum; el otro, alcohólico, que recibió dieta proteica normal NUVILAB (22%) y brandy de azúcar de caña diluido a 30 Gay Lussac (30 v/v). El segmento de yeyuno fue obtenido y sometido a técnicas histoquímicas para teñir las células nerviosas. La observación a través de microscopía de luz mostró que no hubo diferencias morfológicas de importancia entre las neuronas del grupo control y el sometido a alcoholismo. El recuento neuronal en el grupo control, llevado a cabo en 40 campos microscópicos (8,96 µm²), de las regiones mesentérica y antimesentérica, determinó 1.131 y 693 neuronas, respectivamente, mientras que en el grupo alcohólico se encontraron 1.229 y 860 neuronas, respectivamente. El incremento significativo en el número de neuronas en la región mesentérica, en el grupo de las ratas alcohólicas, es debido a un crecimiento físico menor de esos animales comparados con el grupo control. El etanol causó malnutrición y consecuentemente, las ratas alcohólicas mostraron una densidad neuronal más amplia debido a una dispersión menor

The purpose of this work was to analyze the morphoquantitative behavior of the neurons of the myenteric plexus, as well as the morphometry of the duodenal wall, in adult rats fed with normoproteic (22%) and hypoproteic (8%) rations, killed at the age of 345 days. For neuronal assessments duodenal wholemounts stained with the Giemsa method were used, and for the evaluation of the duodenal wall routine histological processing and staining with Hematoxilin-Eosin were employed. The means of the number of neurons in 80 microscopic fields (12.72 mm2) and of the size of the neuronal cell bodies did not reveal statistically significant differences between the groups, but there was a greater incidence of large neurons in the protein restriction group (RP). The duodenum was markedly smaller in the RP group and, although there was no difference in the thickness of its wall, the mucosa was larger and the muscular layer was smaller in group RP. It was concluded that the neuronal and non-neuronal components of the duodenum adjust themselves to the nutritional condition, assuring the maintenance of their functions.

Temos por objetivo contribuir com informações sobre os aspectos quantitativos dos neurônios mioentéricos NADH-diaforase positivos do jejuno de ratos submetidos a desnutrição protéica. Foram utilizados 10 ratos (90 dias de idade), divididos em grupos: controle (n=5, ±278g) e desnutrido (n=5, ±280g). Nos 120 dias seguintes, os ratos do grupo controle receberam ração com teor protéico de 22%, os do grupo desnutrido, 8%. Ao final deste período, os ratos do grupo controle pesaram ±394,4g e os desnutrido ±273,5g.O jejuno foi submetido à técnica histoquímica da NADH-diaforase para evidenciação de células nervosas em preparado de membranas. Foram contados os neurônios presentes em 80 campos microscópicos em ambos os grupos. Verificaram-se no controle ±674,6 neurônios e no desnutrido ±1326,8 neurônios; A dieta não alterou a organização dos neurônios entretanto, levou a um menor desenvolvimento corporal nos animais desnutridos, contribuindo para que os neurônios destes sofressem menor dispersão e apresentassem maior densidade por mm².

We aim at contributing with information on the quantitative aspects of the NADH-diaphorase positive myenteric neurons of the jejunum of adult rats subjected to protein desnutrition. Ten rats aging 90 days were divided into two groups: control (n=5, ±278 g) and disnurtured (n=5, ±280 g). In the following 120 days, the rats from the control group had chow with 22% protein level, and those from the disnurtured group, with 8% protein level. After this period, the control rats weighted ±394.4g and the disnurtured ±273.5g. The jejunum was subjected to the histochemical technique of the NADH-diaphorase to stain nerve cells in whole-mounts. The neurons found in 80 microscopic fields of both groups were counted. In the control ±674.6 neurons were observed, and ±1326.8 neurons were counted in the disnurtured group. The low-protein diet did not alter the organization of the neurons, but led to a smaller body growth in the disnurtured animals, preventing neuronal dispersal and leading to a greater density per mm².

Realizamos este estudo com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da desnutrição protéica e da carência de vitaminas do complexo B sobre os aspectos morfológicos e quantitativos do plexo mioentérico do colo descendente de Rattus norvegicus adultos. Vinte e oito ratos foram divididos em dois grupos, sendo oferecida para um dos grupos ração com teor protéico de 22% (controle) e, para outro, ração com teor protéico de 8% sem suplementação de vitaminas do complexo B, durante 120 dias. Elaboramos os preparados de membrana do colo descendente e os coramos pelo método de Giemsa, pela técnica da NADH diaforase e da NADPH diaforase. Os ratos desnutridos apresentaram peso corporal 11,84% menor que o grupo controle. Em relação ao controle, observou-se uma redução da área do colo do grupo experimental de 48%, e de 51,9% dos neurônios corados por Giemsa, 28,3% dos neurônios NADH-diaforase positivos e 24,2% neurônios NADPH-diaforase.

We carried out this work with the purpose of studying the effects of protein and vitamin B deficiency on the morphologic and quantitative aspects of the myenteric plexus of the descending colon of adult Rattus norvegicus. Twenty-eight rats were divided in two groups, one of them receiving chow with 22% protein level (control) and the other fed with chow having 8% protein level without vitamin B supplementation, during 120 days. Whole-mounts of the descending colon were prepared and stained with Giemsa, NADH-diaphorase and NADPH-diaphorase. The undernourished rats had a body weight 11.84% less than the control group. Relative to the controls, the experimental group had a colonic area 48% smaller, 51.9% less Giemsa-stained neurons, 28.3% less NADH-diaphorase positive neurons and 24.2% less NADPH-diaphorase positive neurons.

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a densidade neuronal do plexo mioentérico das regiões intermediária e antimesocólica do colo descendente de ratos. Preparados de membrana foram corados com três técnicas diferentes de evidenciação neuronal. Através da contagem do número de neurônios, em uma área de 6,64 mm², sob microscopia de luz, encontramos com a coloração de Giemsa: 1271 ± 227,54 neurônios na região intermediária e 1234 ± 225,92 na região antimesocólica. Utilizando a técnica de marcação da NADH-diaforase, encontramos 530 ± 92,97 neurônios na região intermediária e 539 ± 146,72 na região antimesocólica. Através da histoquímica da NADPH-diaforase, encontramos 417 ± 34,42 neurônios na região intermediária e 547 ± 84,01 na região antimesocólica. Concluímos que há uma variação da densidade de neurônios NADPH-diaforase positivos ao redor da circunferência intestinal; que a subpopulação neuronal NADH-diaforase positivos representou 42,7% da população evidenciada no Giemsa e que os neurônios NADPH-diaforase positivos representam 37,8% do total.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the neuronal density of the myenteric plexus of the intermediate and antimesocolic regions of the descending colon of rats. Whole-mounts were stained with three different techniques of neuronal evidenciation. Through counts of the number of neurons in an area of 6.64 mm² under light microscopy, we found 1,271 ± 227.54 neurons with Giemsa in the intermediate region and 1,234 ± 225.92 neurons in the antimesocolic region; with the NADH-diaphorase technique we found 530 ± 92.97 neurons in the intermediate region and 539 ± 146.72 neurons in the antimesocolic region; and through the NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry, we found 417 ± 34.42 neurons in the intermediate region and 547 ± 84.01 neurons in the antimesocolic region. We conclude that there is a variation in the density of NADPH-diaphorase positive neurons in the intestinal circumference; that the NADH-diaphorase positive neuronal subpopulation represented 42.7% of that stained with Giemsa; and that the NADPH-diaphorase positive neurons represented 37.8% of the whole myenteric population.

This work verified the changes caused by ethanol ingestion on the myenteric neurons of the ileum of rats subjected to chronic alcoholism. Twenty rats (Rattus norvegicus) were divided in control (GC) and alcoholic (GA) groups during 210 days. The animals from group GA received sugar-cane brandy diluted to 30 GL and those from group GC received water. Both groups were fed with rodent chow ad libitum. The ileum was prepared as whole-mounts for neuronal staining according to Barbosa (1978) and Gabella (1979). The neurons were counted and the cell bodies were measured. The statistical analysis revealed a significant decrease in the number of large neurons in GA compared with GC, while there was a significant increase in the number of small neurons in GA. There was a smaller body growth in GA, thus causing a smaller spread of the nerve cells and a larger number of neurons evidenced by the techniques of Giemsa and NADH-diaphorase in the alcoholic animals than in the controls, and a decrease in the size of the cell bodies, evidenced by the increase in the proportion of small neurons and decrease in the proportion of large nerve cells

Verificamos los cambios causados por la ingestión de etanol en las neuronas mioentéricas del íleon en ratas sometidas a alcoholismo crónico. 20 ratas (Ratus novergicus) fueran divididas en grupo control (GC) y grupo alcohólico (GA). Durante 210 días los animales del GA recibieron aguardiente de caña diluida a 30° y los animales del GC recibieron agua. El íleon fue sometido a la elaboración de preparados totales para marcación neuronal de acuerdo con Barbosa (1978) y Gabella (1969). Las neuronas fueran contadas y medidos los cuerpos celulares. En ambas técnicas, las ratas alcoholizadas presentaron una mayor densidad neuronal. El análisis estadístico, reveló una redución significativa del número de neuronas grandes en el GA cuando fue comparado con el GC; en el GA hubo un aumento significativo en el número de neuronas pequeñas. Ocurrió un menor crecimiento en las ratas GA, causando una menor dispersión de las células nerviosas y un amplio número de neuronas evidenciado a través de las técnicas de Giemsa y NADH-diaforase tanto en los animales del GA como del GC y reducción en el tamaño de los cuerpos celulares, comprobado por el aumento de la proporción de neuronas pequeñas

The stomach carried out movements characterized by potent peristaltic slow waves which serve mixture, mechanical digestion and slow emptying through the pylorus. The control of this movement is made by hormone action and neural activity, especially the intrinsic innervation by the neurons of the myenteric plexus. Once the condition of desnutrition can cause morphological alterations even upon the neurons this work was proposed with the purpose of verifying the effects of protein desnutrition lasting 120 days on the quantitative aspects of the NADH-diaphorase positive neurons. It was used 10 adult rats aging 90 days, which were divided in two groups, control and disnurtured. The rats of the disnurtured group (n=5) were subjected to a diet of 8% protein level, and those of the control group (n=5) received chow with normal protein level (22%). After 120 days, the aglandular stomach was subjetec to the histoenzymologic technique of the NADH-diaphorase for neuronal evidenciation. The aglandular regions was divided in a region near the major gastric curvature and a region anterior to the limitant ridge. According to the sampling method of counting, the observed neurons in 40 microscopic fields (6.64 mm²) of each region in all the animals of the two groups were counted using light microscope with 40X objective. We verified that the neurons can be isolated or grouped into ganglia. Next to the limitant ridge it was found a mean of 570.8 neurons in the control group and 718.4 in the disnurtured group. On the other hand, next to the major gastric curvature, we observed 25.8 neurons in the control group and 52.6 neurons in the disnurtured group. The low-protein diet resulted in less body growth with a weight decrease of about 30.33% when compared to the control animals, as well as a decrease in the area of the stomach of 20.13%. We concluded that the neurons are not uniformly distributed in the stomach wall and that the disnurtured animals showed less neuronal dispersion, thus exhibiting a greater neuronal density per mm²

El estómago realiza movimientos caracterizados por potentes ondas peristálticas lentas, útiles en la mezcla del bolo alimenticio, la digestión mecánica y su lenta liberación por el píloro. El control de este movimiento se realiza por acción hormonal y por actividad nerviosa, destacando la inervación intríseca que representan las neuronas del plexo mioentérico. Considerando que un estado de desnutrición puede provocar alteraciones morfológicas, incluso neuronales, se ha propuesto este trabajo, con el objetivo de verificar los efectos provocados por la desnutrición proteínica durante un período de 120 días, en el aspecto cuantitativo de las neuronas NADH-diaforasa positivas. Para este estudio se utilizaron 10 ratones adultos, los cuales, a los 90 días de vida fueron divididos en dos grupos; control y desnutridos. A los ratones del grupo desnutridos (n=5) se les alimentó con una dieta proteínica de, aproximadamente, 8% y a los ratones del grupo control (n=5) con dieta de valor proteínico normal, 22%. Transcurridos 120 días, al estómago aglandular se le hizo un ensayo de histoenzimología del NADH-diaforasa, para verificar características neuronales. La región glandular fue dividida en dos áreas: una, próxima al lóbulo gástrico mayor y la otra, anterior al repliegue límite. En el recuento por muestreo, las neuronas observadas en 40 campos microscópicos (6,64 mm²) de cada área, de las muestas de los ratones de los grupos control y desnutridos, fueron contadas con un microscopio de 40x. Constatamos entonces que las neuronas pueden estar aisladas o agrupadas en sus ganglios. Cerca del repliegue límite encontramos un promedio de 570,8 neuronas en el grupo control y 718,4 en el grupo desnutridos. Por otra parte, cerca del lóbulo gástrico mayor, encontramos 25,8 neuronas en el grupo control y 52,6 en el grupo desnutridos. La dieta hipoproteínica implicó un menor crecimiento físico, con una descompensación de alredededor de 30,33%, al compararlo con ratones del grupo control, como también hubo una reducción de la superficie del perfil estomacal, de aproximadamente 20,13%. Concluimos que, las neuronas no están distribuidas uniformemente en la pared estomacal y que en los ratones desnutridos presentaron una menor dispersión, presentando por lo tanto una mayor densidad neuronal por mm²

The morphology of the stomach may vary between species as a function of feeding habits, differences on the cellular composition of the mucosa of the stomach wall and the different functions it carries out. Morphofunctional variations of the stomach of several animals along phylogeny led us to investigate the morphology of the wall of the glandular stomach of rabbits. We used the stomachs of 32 young rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) from the White New Zealand strain, coming from the Experimental Farm of Iguatemi, owned by the State University of Maringá, Brazil. The stomachs were collected and fixed in Bouin solution; sections of 7 and 12 µm were made from the greater to the lesser gastric curvatures, and subjected to histological routine, for staining with either Hematoxilin-Eosin, P.A.S. or Azan. Next the sections were analyzed under microscope and photographed. Differences in the stratigraphy of the gastric wall were observed when the sections from the greater gastric curvature of the glandular stomach of rabbits were compared with those from the lesser curvature. We verified that the wall of the glandular stomach of rabbits shows differences on the morphology of the mucosa, submucosa, muscle and serosa layers, so that the wall is not uniform around the stomach circumference

La morfología del estómago puede variar de una especie a otra, en función de sus hábitos alimenticios, constitución celular de la mucosa de la pared estomacal y de las funciones realizadas por las células constituyentes. Variaciones morfofuncionales del estómago existentes entre los animales de la escala filogenética, nos llevaron a investigar la morfología de la pared del estómago glandular de los conejos. Utilizamos estómagos de 32 conejos (Oryctolagus cuniculus), jóvenes, raza Neozelandés Blanco, provenientes de la Estancia Experimental de Iguatemí, de la Universidad Estadual de Maringá, Brasil. Los estómagos fueron recolectados y conservados en solución de Bouin; se les practicaron cortes de 5 y 12 µm, alcanzando la región que va desde la curvatura gástrica mayor hasta la curvatura gástrica menor, verificación histológica de rutina y coloración con Hematoxilina-Eosina, P.A.S. y Azan. Se observaron las muestras a través del microscopio óptico y luego fueron fotografiados. Observamos diferencias de estratisgrafía en la pared del estómago al comparar los cortes practicados en las curvaturas gástricas mayor y menor del estómago glandular de los conejos. Verificamos que la pared de la región glandular del estómago de los conejos presenta diferencias con relación a la morfología de las túnicas mucosa, submucosa, muscular y serosa, no presentando, por lo tanto, pared uniforme a lo largo de la circunferencia estomacal

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar as repercussões da ingestão deficiente de proteínas e vitaminas do complexo B sobre parâmetros bioquímicos e hematológicos e neurônios mientéricos NADH e NADPH-diaforase positivos. Os animais controle (n=10) receberam ração comercial e os animais experimentais (n=10) ração com teor protéico reduzido para 8% durante 120 dias. Durante o sacrifício, coletou-se o sangue dos animais para avaliação de parâmetros sanguíneos e hematológicos e o colo ascendente para a análise quantitativa dos neurônios do plexo mioentérico. Observou-se que a redução do teor de proteínas na dieta para 8% associado a redução no teor de vitaminas do complexo B em ratos adultos, não causa alterações qualitativas e quantitativas das células sanguíneas das séries vermelha e branca, não leva a redução do valor da globulina nem a formação de edema ou ao surgimento de sinais clínicos característicos das carências de proteínas e vitaminas do complexo B. Por outro lado causa: menor ganho de peso corporal; alteração da composição corporal com acúmulo de gordura; redução nos valores de proteína total e albumina; redução na área do colo e evidenciação de densidade de neurônios nitrérgicos e NADH-diaforase positivos inferior ao esperado.

The aims of this work were to evaluate the effects of the deficient ingestion of protein and vitamin B on the biochemical and hematologic parameters and on the NADH- and NADPH-diaphorase positive myenteric neurons. The control animals (n=10) received commercial chow and the experimental rats (n=10) received chow with protein level reduced to 8% during 120 days. At the time of killing blood was collected for assessment of the blood and hematologic parameters and the ascending colon for quantitative analysis of the neurons of the myenteric plexus. It was observed that the reduction of the protein level to 8% coupled to the reduction of the levels of vitamin B in adult rats neither led to qualitative or quantitative changes on red or white blood cells, nor decreased globulin levels, induced the formation of edema or gave rise to clinical signs typical of protein or vitamin B deficiency. On the other hand, the experimental protocol led to less weight gain, change on the body composition with fat deposition; decrease of the values of serum total protein and albumin; reduction of the area of colon and density of nitrergic and NADH-diaphorase myenteric neurons inferior to the expected.

Realizamos este estudo com o objetivo de analisar a densidade de neurônios do plexo mientérico nas regiões mesentérica, intermediária e antimesentérica do íleo de ratos. Empregamos preparados de membrana corados por 4 diferentes técnicas. Através de contagens sob microscópio óptico em uma área de 8,96 mm² encontramos com as técnicas de Giemsa, histoquímica da NADH-diaforase, NADPH-diaforase e acetilcolinesterase, respectivamente as seguintes médias neuronais: região mesentérica 2144,40±161,05, 1657,80±88,23, 473,80±19,62, 905,25±22,40; região intermediaria 1790,60±128,24, 1265,20±141,17, 371,30±27,84, 770,25±33,12; região antimesentérica 1647,0±76,67, 981,80±68,04, 298,50±22,75, 704,50±69,38. Concluimos que há uma variação na densidade neuronal ao redor da circunferência intestinal, e este fato independe da técnica utilizada para marcar os neurônios, e que em uma mesma região, a densidade neuronal varia com a técnica utilizada. Também chamamos a atenção para que seja indicado o local onde as quantificações serão realizadas, para que não haja comprometimento dos resultados em pesquisa nesta área.

We carried out this study with the purpose of analyzing the density of neurons of the myenteric plexus in the mesenteric, intermediate and antimesenteric regions of the ileum of rats. Whole-mounts stained with four different techniques were employed. Through countings under optic microscope in an area of 8.96 mm² we found the following neuronal means with the techniques of Giemsa, NADH-diaphorase histochemistry, NADPH-diaphorase and acetylcholinesterase, respectively: mesenteric region 2144.40±161.05, 1657.80±88.23, 473.80±19.62, 905.25±22.40; intermediate region 1790.60±128.24, 1265.20±141.17, 371.30±27.84, 770.25±33.12; antimesenteric region 1647.0±76.67, 981.80±68.04, 298.50±22.75, 704.50±69.38. We conclude that there is a variation of neuronal density around the intestinal circumference and this fact independs on the technique used to stain the neurons, and that in a single region the neuronal density varies with the technique employed. We also call attention for the identification of the site were countings were carried out, so that the results of research in this area are not compromised.

A proposta deste trabalho foi estudar as alterações morfológicas e quantitativas dos neurônios do plexo mientérico do estômago de ratos com diabetes induzido por estreptozootocina e estabelecer uma comparação com animais não diabéticos. Amostras do corpo do estômago foram submetidas a preparados de membrana corados pelo método da NADH-diaforase e a cortes histológicos corados por hematoxilina-eosina. Observou-se que o diabetes provoca significante redução no número de neurônios.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the morphological and quantitative alterations of the myenteric plexus neurons of the stomach of rats with streptozotocin-induced chronic diabetes and compare them to those of non-diabetic animals. Samples from the body of the stomach were used for whole-mount preparations stained with NADH-diaphorase and for histological sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin. It was observed that diabetes cause a significant decrease on the number of neurons.

This study was carried out to determine the number of venous valves of the facial vein. Left and right veins from 50 adult male corpses previously maintained in formaldehyde were dissected and analyzed microscopically as well as under a stereomicroscope. Valves were found in 41 cases (82%). They were well developed and were classified as ostial and parietal. The ostial valves were unicuspid or bicuspid. The parietal valves were bicuspid. The facial vein segment with the largest number of venous valves was located at the submandibular gland level. A valval sinus was found on the venous walls with valves. The relations among anatomical variations, nature of the venous wall and presence of valves are discussed

Se realizó este estudio para constatar la periodicidad y cantidad en que se encuentran las valvas en la vena facial. Las venas faciales, derecha e izquierda de 50 cadáveres, adultos, de sexo masculino, previamente sumergidos en formol al 10%, fueron disecadas y abiertas longitudinalmente, desde su origen hasta su desembocadura, con el fin de constatar la presencia y ubicación de las valvas. Se observaron valvas en 41 casos (82%). Éstas eran bien desarrolladas y fueron clasificadas en valvas ostiales y parietales. Entre las valvas ostiales habían unicúspides y bicúspides, mientras que las parietales eran solamente bicúspides. El trecho de la vena facial que presentó el mayor número de valvas fue el que se encuentra a nivel de la glándula submaxilar. Las paredes venosas que tenían valvas, presentaban seno valvular. Las relaciones entre variaciones anatómicas, constitución de la pared venosa y la presencia de valvas, son discutidas a lo largo del presente trabajo

Estudamos os efeitos da desnutrição protéica materna sobre os neurônios do plexo mientérico do jejuno de ratos da espécie norvegicus. Utilizamos filhotes de ratas que receberam dieta com teor protéico normal durante a gestação e a lactação (grupo NN), dieta normoprotéica durante a gestação e hipoprotéica durante a lactação (grupo ND); dieta hipoprotéica durante a gestação e normoprotéica durante a lactação (grupo DN); dieta hipoprotéica durante a gestação e lactação (grupo DD). Após o desmame todos os animais receberam dieta com teor protéico normal até os 60 dias de vida ocasião em que foram sacrificados. Preparados de membrana do jejuno foram corados pelo método de Giemsa e foram utilizados para análises morfológicas e quantitativas dos neurônios do plexo mientérico. Verificamos que a desnutrição protéica materna não provoca redução no número de neurônios mientéricos por área do jejuno de ratos, porém desencadeia mecanismos que fazem com que quando o animal volta a receber dieta com teor protéico normal (22%) ocorra acúmulo de material protéico no citoplasma dos neurônios, o que os torna maiores e fortemente basofílicos.

We studied the effects of maternal proteic desnutrition on the neurons of the myenteric plexus of the jejunum of rats from Rattus norvegicus species. It was used litters of female rats which received diet with normal proteic level during gestation and lactation (group NN), normal diet during gestation and hypoproteic diet during lactation (group ND); hypoproteic diet during gestation and normal diet during lactation (group DN); hypoproteic diet during both gestation and lactation (group DD). After weaning all the animals received diet of normal proteic level until the 60th day of age, when they were killed. The jejunum of the animals was subjected to whole-mount preparations stained by the method of Giemsa and used for the morphologic and quantitative analyses of the neurons of the myenteric plexus. We verified that maternal proteic malnutrition does not cause decrease on the number of myenteric neurons per unit area of jejunum in rats, but elicits mechanisms which assure that, when the animal again receives normal proteic level diet (22%) there occurs storage of proteic material on the cytoplasm of the neurons, thus rendering them larger and strongly basophylic.