@article {Bosman:December 2001:0344-0338:789, author = "Bosman C.", author = "Devito R.", author = "Fusilli S.", author = "Boldrini R.", title = "A New Hypothesis on the Pathogenesis of Intestinal Pseudo-obstructionby Intestinal Neuronal Dysplasia (IND)", journal = "Pathology Research and Practice", volume = "197", year = "December 2001", abstract = "

Using morphometry and image analysis, we investigated 17 patients showing intestinal pseudo-obstruction secondary to intestinal neuronal dysplasia (IND) and 20 controls. In addition to an increase in the number and size of the ganglia and the ganglionic cells, we also noted a significant increase in NO synthase-containing ganglionic cells. We found that this enzyme, responsible for the synthesis of nitrous oxide caused by oxidation of L-argynine aminoacid, is a neurotransmitter able to induce smooth muscle relaxation by activating cyclic AMP. If the increase in NO synthase-producing ganglionic cells is responsible for the increase in nitrous oxide production, one can hypothesize that an overproduction of nitrous oxide plays a role in the pathogenesis of intestinal pseudo-obstruction secondary to neuronal dysplasia. As NO synthase can be blocked, as was demonstrated by giving L-methil-arginine or N-G-nitro-L-argynine, it might be possible to treat intestinal pseudo-obstruction caused by intestinal neuronal dysplasia at the pharmacological level.

", pages = "789-796(8)", url = "http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/urban/571/2001/00000197/00000012/art00161" doi = "doi:10.1078/0344-0338-00161" }