An Immunohistochemical Study for NOS and ICs in Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis(CHPS)with the nitric oxide(NO),and interstitial cells(ICs)for further exploration of the etiology of CHPS.Methods:The distribution of NO synthase(NOS)and ICs in the pyloric muscular specimens from 27 cases of CHPS and 12 cases of normal control were studied by NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry and c-kit immunohistochemistry.Results:In control group,NOS positive nerve fibers were abundant in the circular muscularis and the neurons of the myenteric plexus and the submucosal plexus,and NOS positive nerve fibers in the longitudinal muscularis were much less.More ICs distributed in the circular muscularis and around the myentericplexus,and formed a network.In CHPS group.NOS positive nerve fibers were absent in the hypertrophie circular muscularis,and scanty in the longitudinal muscularis.The neurons 0f themyenteric plexus were NOS positive.ICs was almost absent in the inner part of the circular muscularis and none around the myenteric plexus.Only a few ICs were found near the submucosal layer of the circular muscularis in the specimens for CHPS.Conclusions:These findings suggest an abnormal distribution of NOS and ICs in the pylorus he responsible for the functional obstruction of pylorus in patients with CHPS. Key words: Nitric oxide; Pylorus,Pyloric stenosis