Effects of physical activity in the inicial aging of the myenteric plexus of colon of Wistar rat: quantitative, morphometric and ultraestructural study

Author(s)

Karina Martinez Gagliardo

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ/SBD)
• Defense date: 2006-03-24

Examining board members

Romeu Rodrigues de Souza; Francisco Javier Hernandez Blazquez; José Roberto Kfoury Junior; Sonia Lucy Molinari; Sandra Regina Stabille

• Advisor: Romeu Rodrigues de Souza

Abstract

The known of all facets that involve this process is an actual necessity, once time the aging population is increasing in whole world. The digestory system is an important target of the aging alterations, being the constipation a frequent disturbance related. For this reason, studies about the neurons of the myenteric plexus are necessary. Moreover, knowing that the physical activity is a therapeutic recommended to avoid the constipation, this research have as objectives study quantitatively and qualitatively the effects of aging in the NADH- and NADPH-diaphorase reactive neurons of the myenteric plexus of the colon of adult rats (group A) and middle-aged (group B), as well as the possible effects of physical activity (running) about the neurons of middle-aged animals (group C). Furthermore, the present research also aimed verifies possible alterations in the muscle layers (circular and longitudinal) of colon, as well as the neuronal ultra-structure in all groups. In relation to the morphology, no neuronal alteration or in the arrangement of the plexus was showed. However, a major amount of collagen around the ganglion was verified in the animals of the group B. The quantitative alterations were showed both in the neurons NADH-d reactive and in the NADPH-reactive. Both neuronal populations had a decrease in the density with the aging, being significant (P>0,05) only in the neurons NADPH-d reactive. In relation to the physical activity, only the neurons NADPH-reactive had a decrease significant in the density (P>0,05), while the neurons NADH-d reactive had the density a little increased. No significant alterations (P>0,05) were verified in the neuronal profile area and in the thickness of the muscle layers of the colon. (AU)