Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide-positive neuron populations in the enteric nervous system of the porcine descending colon depend on age and gender

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0321339
• Publication Date: 2025-04-04T17:48:28Z
• Authors: Krystyna Makowska; Kainã R. C. Fagundes; Renata de Britto ...; Sławomir Gonkowski
• Keywords: Cart; Enteric Nervous System; Descending colon

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a complex structure located in the wall of gastrointestinal tract. One less-known active substances found ENS cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide (CART). It known that CART-positive neurons take part reactions to pathological stimuli, but knowledge physiological stimuli-dependent changes their population extremely limited. aim present study was investigate age- gender-dependent diversities distribution porcine colonic using double immunofluorescence technique. obtained results have shown age affects number character intensity age-caused depend on type plexus, most visible been noted myenteric plexus which percentage amounted 22.3 ± 0.2% young females, 20.7 0.4% males, 23.7 adult females 25.8 01% males. Moreover, during study, sex-dependent were found, especially animals. suggest CART takes neuroplasticity processes occurring development, maturation and/or aging tract, as well controlled by sex hormones depends gender. However, elucidation all aspects connected with influence gender requires further comprehensive studies.