Regeneration of enteric ganglia in mechanically lengthened jejunum after restoration into intestinal continuity

PurposeWe previously demonstrated that it is feasible to lengthen intestinal segments with mechanical force and to restore them back into intestinal continuity. The changes in the enteric ganglia in the lengthened intestinal segments have not been described.MethodsA 1-cm segment of rodent jejunum was isolated from intestinal continuity and was lengthened using a spring. After lengthening, jejunal segments were either retrieved (n = 4) or restored into intestinal continuity (n = 4). Rats with restored segments were euthanized 2 to 3 weeks later. Ganglia were identified and quantified by immunostaining of histological sections.ResultsThe normal jejunum had 51 ± 5 myenteric and 31 ± 2 submucosal ganglia per circumferential tissue section. Lengthened segments had 21 ± 7 myenteric and 2 ± 2 submucosal ganglia. Restored segments had 46 ± 14 myenteric and 10 ± 10 submucosal ganglia. Circumferential density of ganglia followed a similar pattern.ConclusionMechanical lengthening led to a paucity of submucosal and myenteric ganglia. After restoration into continuity, the number increased toward normal, indicating regeneration of the enteric ganglia. The function of regenerated ganglia needs to be assessed in the future.