Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide-27 (PACAP-27) is co-stored with galanin, substance P and corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) in intrapancreatic ganglia of the sheep

• Published in: Polish journal of veterinary sciences Vol. 18; no. 2; pp. 343 - 350
• Main Authors: Arciszewski, M B, Mozel, S, Sienkiewicz, W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Polish Academy of Sciences, Committee of Veterinary Sciences 01-06-2015
• Subjects: Animals; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone - genetics; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone - metabolism; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Galanin - genetics; Galanin - metabolism; Ganglia - metabolism; Gene Expression Regulation - physiology; Male; Pancreas - innervation; Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide - genetics; Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide - immunology; Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide - metabolism; Sheep - physiology; Substance P - genetics; Substance P - metabolism
• ISSN: 1505-1773; 2300-2557
• DOI: 10.1515/pjvs-2015-0044

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide existing in two variant forms (of either 27 or 38 residues), widely present in numerous organs and evoking multiple effects both in the central and peripheral nervous systems. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the distribution pattern of PACAP-27 expression in the ovine pancreas. Using double immunohistochemical stainings co-localizations of PACAP-27 with galanin, SP or CRF were studied in intrapancreatic neurons. In intrapancreatic ganglia, immunoreactivty to PACAP-27 was found in 87.6 ± 5.4% of PGP 9.5-positive intrapancreatic neurons but not in intraganglionic nerve fibres. Numerous PACAP-27-immunoreactive nerve terminals were also observed between pancreatic acini and around small arterioles. No immunoreactivity to PACAP-27 was found in the endocrine pancreas. In 42.9 ± 6.2% of PACAP-27-immunoreactive intrapancreatic neurons the expression of galanin was also found. Statistically lower subpopulation (12.4 ± 4.0%) of intrapancreatic neurons exhibited simultaneously the immunoreactivity to PACAP-27 and SP. The expression of CRF was detected in the relatively smallest group (3.2 ± 1.4%) of PACAP-27-positive intrapancreatic neurons. The present results suggest that in the ovine pancreas PACAP-27 may play an important role as mediator of pancreatic functions. In PACAP-related pancreatic activities, a modulatory role of galanin, SP and to a lower extend of CRF is also likely.