Distribution and colocalization of neuropeptide Y- and tyrosine hydroxylase-like immunoreactivity in the guinea-pig heart.

The localization and distribution of neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity in the guinea-pig heart were studied by use of immunohistochemical methods. A widespread distribution of immunoreactive processes was observed in all regions of the heart. They occur either singly or together with several other immunoreactive processes and are most often aligned parallel to the myocardial bundles. A dense network of processes is present in the region of both the sinuatrial and atrioventricular nodes and single fibers are occasionally observed to be closely associated with nodal ganglion cells. Positive cell bodies were not seen within the heart. All small, medium and large coronary vessels are surrounded by a dense network of immunoreactive processes. A rich innervation at the media-adventitia junction of the aorta, pulmonary trunk, superior and inferior vena cava was also observed. Comparison of adjacent sections stained with antisera directed to avian pancreatic polypeptide, carboxyl-terminal hexapeptide of pancreatic polypeptide or neuropeptide Y demonstrated a very similar immunoreactive pattern, suggesting that these antisera are reacting with the same or a closely related substance. Likewise, the same immunoreactive patterns were observed in adjacent sections incubated in antiserum to neuropeptide Y or tyrosine hydroxylase, and analysis of elution-restained sections demonstrated that the same processes contain both neuropeptide Y- and tyrosine hydroxylase-like immunoreactivity. Neuropeptide Y- and tyrosine hydroxylase-like immunoreactivity was reduced by the same magnitude after treatment with the sympathetic neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine, but it was not affected by the primary sensory neurotoxin capsaicin. Furthermore, the pattern of neuropeptide Y- and tyrosine hydroxylase-like immunoreactivity did not match the staining patterns observed with antisera to vasoactive intestinal polypeptide or substance P or with the acetylcholinesterase staining pattern. In conclusion, neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity in the heart and great vessels coexists with that for catecholamines and is likely to originate from sympathetic ganglia.