Effect of adrenalectomy on cholecystokinin-8-induced Fos-like immunoreactivity in myenteric neurons and the dorsal vagal complex in rats

Objective-To investigate the effect of adrenalectomy on cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8)-induced Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos-Ll) in the myenteric neurons of the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) in rats. Animals-16 male Sprague Dawley rats. Procedures-Rats were allocated to 1 of 2 groups and underwent adrenalectomy or a sham adrenalectomy procedure. Rats were challenged with a supraphysiologic dose of CCK-8 (40 mu g/kg) or physiologic saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (0.5 mL) administered IP; after 90 minutes, rats were euthanized, and Fos-Ll was quantified in the DVC (at the levels of the area postrema, nucleus tractus solitarii, and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus) and the myenteric neurons of the duodenum and jejunum by use of a diaminobenzidine reaction enhanced with nickel. The FosLl-positive cells were counted by use of an automated system and manually in the DVC and intestinal samples, respectively. Counts of Fos-Ll in the different hindbrain levels and myenteric neurons were compared between the adrenalectomy- and sham-treated groups and between the CCK-8- and saline solution-treated groups. Results-After adrenalectomy, CCK-8-induced Fos-Ll was attenuated only in the myenteric neurons of the duodenum. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Results indicate that the adrenal gland has a role in the activation of myenteric neurons by CCK-8 in rats.