This study aimed to determine whether enteric neurons are involved in multiple system atrophy (MSA). Four-μm-thick slices of small intestine were prepared from 10%-formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded materials obtained from autopsied cases. Enteric neurons were stained using an anti-peripherin antibody. Immunostaining of phosphorylated α-synuclein was also performed. Areas of the cytoplasm and nucleus that showed nucleoli were measured using computer software. Both areas of myenteric neurons were significantly smaller in MSA cases (n = 3) than in control subjects (n = 3) (P < 0.0001); however, no deposits of phosphorylated α-synuclein were observed. These findings suggest that myenteric neurons in MSA are affected independent of α-synuclein accumulation.

中文翻译：

---

多系统萎缩患者小肠肌间神经元萎缩

本研究旨在确定肠神经元是否参与多系统萎缩 (MSA)。4 μm 厚的小肠切片由 10% 福尔马林固定和石蜡包埋的尸体解剖材料制成。使用抗外周蛋白抗体对肠神经元进行染色。还进行了磷酸化 α-突触核蛋白的免疫染色。使用计算机软件测量显示核仁的细胞质和细胞核区域。MSA 病例（n = 3）中肌间神经元的两个区域均显着小于对照组（n = 3）（P < 0.0001）；然而，没有观察到磷酸化 α-突触核蛋白的沉积。这些发现表明 MSA 中的肌间神经元受到影响，与 α-突触核蛋白的积累无关。