Gastric and Pancreatic Sympathetic Denervation in the Rat

Abstract

The extirpation of the coeliac and superior mesenteric ganglia was found to be a simple and effective method of achieving complete adrenergic denervation of the stomach and pancreas in the rat. Thus, using the formaldehyde fluorescence technique, no remaining adrenergic nerves in these organs could be found after ganglionectomy. The vagus nerves did not significantly contribute to the adrenergic innervation of the stomach and pancreas. Chemical methods revealed minute amounts of noradrenaline in the pancreatic tissue even after complete ganglionectomy. The cellular source of this catecholamine is unknown. Sympathetic denervation of the stomach did not change the gastric acid secretory pattern, as studied with chronic gastric fistula rats.