Extrinsic denervation increases NADPH diaphorase staining in myenteric nerves of guinea pig ileum.

The number of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d)-positive cells in the myenteric plexus increased 1 week after surgical extrinsic denervation of a loop of guinea pig ileum. NADPH-d staining in submucosal ganglia and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide immunoreactivity in submucosal and myenteric ganglia were not affected by denervation. Similar data were obtained after systemic capsaicin, but not 6-hydroxy-dopamine treatment, suggesting that loss of primary afferents increases NADPH-d staining. Increases in NADPH-d may be part of an adaptive process allowing normal gut function after loss of extrinsic nerves.