The origin of sympathetic and sensory nerves innervating heart in the cat was investigated using HRP (Horseradish peroxidase) and WGA-HRP (Wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase) as neuronal tracers. The neural tracers were injected into subepicardial layer and myocardium of the right atrium, left atrium, right ventricle and left ventricle, respectively. Labeled sympathetic neuronal cell bodies were found in superior cervical ganglia, middle cervical ganglia, stellate ganglia and 4th and 5th thoracic ganglia, mainly in middle cervical ganglia and stellate ganglia. Heavier labeled neuronal cell bodies were found in the middle cervical ganglia and stellate ganglia when the neural tracers were injected into left atrium, right ventricle and left ventricle. Labeled sensory neuronal cell bodies were found in nodose ganglia and T1-T6 spinal ganglia, mainly in T1-T5 spinal ganglia. Heavier labeled neuronal cell bodies were found in the nodose ganglia when the neural tracers were injected into left atrium and right ventricle. These results may provide a neuroanatomical data on origin of sensory nerves innervating the heart of the cat.
Animals ; Cats* ; Ganglia ; Ganglia, Sensory ; Ganglia, Spinal ; Ganglia, Sympathetic ; Heart Atria ; Heart Ventricles ; Heart* ; Horseradish Peroxidase ; Myocardium ; Neurons* ; Nodose Ganglion ; Sensory Receptor Cells ; Stellate Ganglion ; Superior Cervical Ganglion ; Wheat Germ Agglutinin-Horseradish Peroxidase Conjugate*

Herpes zoster represents the reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus located in the dorsal root ganglion. The virus multiplies and migrates to the skin surface producing a characteristic, usually painful, pustular eruption. Severe pain during the acute phase of herpes zoster has been associated with a higher risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia. Sympathetic ganglion block and somatic nerve block have been used for patients in the acute phase of herpes zoster to alleviate pain and prevent postherpetic neuralgia. Sympathetic nerve block appears to achieve these goals by blocking the profound sympathetic stimulation that is a result of the viral inflammation of the nerve and ganglion. However, they require repeated local anesthetic injections to relieve the symptoms of acute herpes zoster as well as to prevent the occurrence of postherpetic neuralgia. Pulsed radiofrequency has been proposed as safe, nondestructive treatment method. We present a case of acute herpes zoster that was managed with pulsed radiofrequency treatment. The results were satisfactory.
Autonomic Nerve Block ; Ganglia, Spinal ; Ganglia, Sympathetic ; Ganglion Cysts ; Herpes Zoster* ; Herpesvirus 3, Human ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Nerve Block ; Neuralgia, Postherpetic ; Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment ; Skin ; Stellate Ganglion*

The localizations of efferent and afferent neurons were observed following injection of neural tracers, cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) and wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) into the rat thymus with ages. Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were examined at 3 weeks, 5~6 and 20 months of age. After survival times of 48~96 hours following injection of neural tracers, the rats were perfused and their brain, spinal cord, sympathetic ganglia, dorsal root ganglia and vagal ganglia were frozen sectioned (40 mm). These sections were stained by CTB immunohistochemical and HRP histochemical staining methods, and observed with polarized dark and light microscope. The results were as follows: 1. WGA-HRP and CTB labeled parasympathetic neurons were bilaterally seen in the nucleus ambiguus and medullary reticular formation of medulla with all ages. 2. WGA-HRP labeled sympathetic neurons were bilaterally labeled in superior cervical ganglia, middle cervical ganglia, stellate ganglia and T4-8 sympathetic chain ganglia. The number of labeled sympathetic neurons was increased in the thymus at 20 months of age. According to the aging, sympathetic neuronal processes were more developed, and the nerve fibers were coarse and more branched. 3. WGA-HRP labeled sensory neurons were bilaterally observed within the vagal and C1-6 dorsal root ganglia. The number of labeled sensory neurons was decreased in the thymus at 20 months of age.
Aging ; Animals ; Brain ; Cholera Toxin ; Ganglia ; Ganglia, Spinal ; Ganglia, Sympathetic ; Nerve Fibers ; Neurons ; Neurons, Afferent* ; Peroxidase ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reticular Formation ; Sensory Receptor Cells ; Spinal Cord ; Stellate Ganglion ; Superior Cervical Ganglion ; Thymus Gland* ; Triticum ; Wheat Germ Agglutinin-Horseradish Peroxidase Conjugate

Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) is different with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) possesses an intrinsic nervous plexus that allows the LES to have a considerable degree of independent neural control. Sympathetic control of the LES and stomach stems from cholinergic preganglionic neurons in the intermediolateral column of the thoracic spinal cord (T6 through T9 divisions), which impinge on postganglionic neurons in the celiac ganglion, of which the catecholaminergic neurons provide the LES and stomach with most of its sympathetic supply. Sympathetic regulation of motility primarily involves inhibitory presynaptic modulation of vagal cholinergic input to postganglionic neurons in the enteric plexus. The magnitude of sympathetic inhibition of motility is directly proportional to the level of background vagal efferent input. Recognizing that the LES is under the dual control of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, we refer the reader to other comprehensive reviews on the role of the sympathetic and parasympatetic control of LES and gastric function. The present review focuses on the functionally dominant parasympathetic control of the LES and stomach via the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus.
Brain Stem* ; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower ; Ganglia, Sympathetic ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Laryngopharyngeal Reflux* ; Neurons ; Neurophysiology* ; Parasympathetic Nervous System ; Reflex* ; Spinal Cord ; Stomach

BACKGROUND: To obtain optimal results with stellate ganglion block, it is necessary to have a precise knowledge of the exact location of the stellate ganglion and its relationship to the upper thoracic and lower cervical ganglia, in the procedure, the landmark is C6 transverse process, and the drugs for sympathetic block is injected into it. METHODS: We attempted to show the correlation between the height and the distance from C6 transverse process to stellate ganglion and T2 sympathetic ganglion, and respective means and standard deviations in 10 cadavers to estimate whether the height can be used as one of the factors to decide injection dosage for stellate ganglion block, or not. RESULTS: The mean of height was 161.20 5.89 cm and the mean of the distance from left C6 transverse process to T2 sympathetic ganglion was 44.88 6.76, the mean of the distance from right C6 transverse process to stellate ganglion was 40.73 7.47 mm, and the correlation coefficient and regression equation were 0.29 and y=0.38 20.55, respectively, the mean of the distance from left C6 transverse process to T2 sympathetic ganglion was 65.02 11.12 mm, and the correlation coefficient and regression equation were 0.75 and y=1.42 164.01, respectively, the mean of the distance from right C6 transverse process to T2 sympathetic ganglion was 61.38 9.20 mm, and the correlation coefficient and regression equation were 0.74 and y=1.16 125.88, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that we can used the height as one of effective factors to decide drug dosage for stellate ganglion block in Korean.
Cadaver ; Ganglia ; Ganglia, Sympathetic* ; Stellate Ganglion*

Herpes zoster represents the reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus located in the dorsal root ganglion. The virus multiplies and migrates to the skin surface producing a characteristic, usually painful, pustular eruption. Severe pain during the acute phase of herpes zoster has been associated with a higher risk of developing postherpetic neuralgia. Sympathetic ganglion blocks have been used for patients in the acute phase of herpes zoster to alleviate pain and prevent postherpetic neuralgia. We experienced 2 cases of patients with acute herpes zoster in which one of them presented with pain localized to the dermatomal distribution of L2-3, the other T3. The authors report the results achieved in treatment of the herpes zoster patients, using radiofrequency thermocoagulation of the sympathetic ganglion.
Electrocoagulation* ; Ganglia, Spinal ; Ganglia, Sympathetic ; Herpes Zoster* ; Herpesvirus 3, Human ; Humans ; Neuralgia, Postherpetic ; Skin ; Sympathectomy*

PURPOSE: Serotonin has effects on the bladder contraction or urethral sphincter tone. Different subtypes of 5-hydroxytriptamine (5-HT) receptors appear to mediate the effects of serotonin on voiding. 5-HT1 and 5-HT2, metamorphic receptors, are examined well. However 5-HT3, ionotrophic receptors, are not examined well. Pelvic ganglia provide the majority of the innervation of the lower urinary tract. Major pelvic ganglia (MPG) in rats are autonomic ganglia, containing both sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons related with voiding. We examined the modulatory role of adenylyl cyclase (AC) and protein kinase A (PKA) in 5-HT3 induced intra cellular calcium increase in rat MPG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The regulatory effects by AC and PKA were investigated in a single neuron of male rat major pelvic ganglia using patch clamp and fluorescence Ca2+ measurement techniques. RESULTS: Inward currents were induced by 5-HT (10microM) at only parasympathetic neurons of MPG. MDL7222 (10(-6)M), selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, completely abolished the 5-HT induced inward currents. 5-HT (10microM) induced intracelluar increases of calcium. These increases were blocked by an AC inhibitor SQ22536 (2x10(-5M)) and myristoylated PKA inhibitor (10(-7)M). Furthermore, foskolin (10(-6)M), AC activator, augmented the 5-HT induced intracellular calcium increase. CONCLUSIONS: The activation of AC/PKA-dependent pathway could enhance 5-HT3 induced intacellular calcium increase in parasympathetic neurons of rat MPG and these is helpful for the better understanding the mechanisms of the bladder contraction or urethral sphincter tone.
Adenylyl Cyclases* ; Animals ; Calcium* ; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases* ; Fluorescence ; Ganglia* ; Ganglia, Autonomic ; Ganglia, Parasympathetic ; Humans ; Male ; Neurons* ; Protein Kinases* ; Rats* ; Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT3 ; Serotonin ; Urethra ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Tract

OBJECTIVETo explore the patterns of innervation of cervical facet joints and determine the pathways from facet joints to dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) in order to clarify the causes of diffuse neck pain, headache, and shoulder pain.

METHODSForty-two male-Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 250-300 g, were randomly divided into three groups: Group A (n=18), Group B (n=18), and Group C (n=6). Under anesthesia with intraperitoneal pentobarbital sodium (45 mg/kg body weight), a midline dorsal longitudinal incision was made over the cervical spine to expose the left cervical facet joint capsule of all the rats under a microscope. The rats in Group A underwent sympathectomy, but the rats in Group B and Group C did not undergo sympathectomy. Then 0.6 microlitre 5% bisbenzimide (Bb) were injected into the C1-2, C3-4 and C5-6 facet joints of 6 rats respectively in Group A and Group B. The holes were immediately sealed with mineral wax to prevent leakage of Bb and the fascia and skin were closed. But in Group C, 0.9% normal saline was injected into the corresponding joint capsules. Then under deep re-anesthesia with intraperitoneal pentobarbital sodium (45 mg/kg body weight), C1-C8 left DRGs in all rats and the sympathetic ganglions in Group B were obtained and the number of the labeled neurons was determined.

RESULTSNeurons labeled with Bb were present in C1-C8 DRGs in both Group A and Group B, and sympathetic ganglions in Group B. In the C1-2 and C3-4 subgroups, labeled neurons were present from C1 to C8 DRGs, while in C5-6 subgroups they were from C3 to C8. The number of Bb(+) neurons after sympathectomy was not significantly different in the injected level from that without sympathectomy. But in the other levels, the number of Bb(+) neurons after sympathectomy was significantly less than that without sympathectomy.

CONCLUSIONSThe innervation of the cervical facet joints is derived from both sensory and sympathetic nervous system, and DRGs are associated with sympathetic ganglions through nerve fibers outside the central nerve system.

Animals ; Cervical Vertebrae ; innervation ; Ganglia, Spinal ; cytology ; Ganglia, Sympathetic ; cytology ; Male ; Neurons, Afferent ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

The vanilloid receptor type-1 (VR1) is a nonselective cation channel activated by capsaicin and can be act as mediator of chemical and physical stimuli that elicit pain. The presence of VR1 in the dorsal root, trigeminal and nodose ganglia has been firmly established, but it unclear in the mouse intestinal wall. The distribution of VR1 receptors in mouse afferent neurons innervating the intestinal tract was investigated by immunohistochemistry. Also small and large intestines were dual-labelled with antibody for VR1 and marker for interstitial cells of Cajal (c-kit). VR1-immunopositive cells were localized on fine fibers in myenteric plexus and expressed weakly myenteric ganglia. The majority of VR1-immunopositive fibers are not colocalized with or apposed to c-kit positive interstitial cells of Cajal. Also electrophysiologically capsaicin had no effect on cultured interstitial cells of Cajal. It is concluded that VR1-immunoreactive intestinal nerves are mainly distributed in myenteric plexus of murine intestinal wall, and vanillod may be not directly related to interstitial cells of Cajal in regulation of intestinal motility.
Animals ; Capsaicin ; Ganglia ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; Immunohistochemistry ; Interstitial Cells of Cajal ; Intestines ; Mice* ; Myenteric Plexus* ; Neurons, Afferent ; Nodose Ganglion ; Spinal Nerve Roots

The vanilloid receptor type-1 (VR1) is a nonselective cation channel activated by capsaicin and can be act as mediator of chemical and physical stimuli that elicit pain. The presence of VR1 in the dorsal root, trigeminal and nodose ganglia has been firmly established, but it unclear in the mouse intestinal wall. The distribution of VR1 receptors in mouse afferent neurons innervating the intestinal tract was investigated by immunohistochemistry. Also small and large intestines were dual-labelled with antibody for VR1 and marker for interstitial cells of Cajal (c-kit). VR1-immunopositive cells were localized on fine fibers in myenteric plexus and expressed weakly myenteric ganglia. The majority of VR1-immunopositive fibers are not colocalized with or apposed to c-kit positive interstitial cells of Cajal. Also electrophysiologically capsaicin had no effect on cultured interstitial cells of Cajal. It is concluded that VR1-immunoreactive intestinal nerves are mainly distributed in myenteric plexus of murine intestinal wall, and vanillod may be not directly related to interstitial cells of Cajal in regulation of intestinal motility.
Animals ; Capsaicin ; Ganglia ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; Immunohistochemistry ; Interstitial Cells of Cajal ; Intestines ; Mice* ; Myenteric Plexus* ; Neurons, Afferent ; Nodose Ganglion ; Spinal Nerve Roots