DISTRIBUTION OF NEURONS CONTAINING IMMUNOREACTIVITY FOR GASTRIN-RELEASING PEPTIDE (GRP), SUBSTANCE P, AND VASOACTIVE INTESTINAL POLYPEPTIDE (VIP) IN THE RAT GASTRIC WALL
The distribution of neurons containing gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), substance P and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) in the rat stomach was studied by immunohistochemistry. Neurons containing these neuropeptides were found in both the myenteric plexus and the muscle layers. In colchicine treated animals, GRP-, substance P- and VIP-containing nerve cell bodies were identified in the myenteric plexus. These neurons evidently are of intrinsic origin. GRP-, substance P- and VIP-immunoreactive nerve fibers were in contact with non-immunoreactive nerve cell bodies.