DISTRIBUTION AND DIMENSIONS OF NADPH-DIAPHORASE POSITIVE GANGLIONATED PLEXUSES IN PORCINE COMMON HEPATIC DUCT WALL

The aim of the present study was to establish the expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase - NADPH-d activity in ganglionated plexuses, their distribution and dimensions in mucosal, fibromuscular and subserosal layers of porcine common hepatic duct. The material was obtained from the common hepatic duct of 6 male and 6 female pigs. Tissue pieces were taken immediately after the slaughter and fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde. The NADPH-d histochemical expression was investigated according to the method of Sherer-Singler. The data showed that NADPH-d positive neurons and nitrergic autonomic nerves in the wall of the common hepatic duct obviously produced nitric oxide. Thus they were most probably involved in the regulation of the function of epithelium, blood vessels and the organ in general.