[Bcl-2 expression in enteric neurons of Hirschsprung's disease and its significance].

The bcl-2 protein, which widely expressed in the developing central and peripheral nervous systems, has the functional role of blocking apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to map bcl-2 expression in the human enteric nervous system and investigate the value of bcl-2 immunohistochemical method in the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease (HD), as this has not previously been done. Rectal specimens were obtained from definitive operation of 20 patients with HD. Specimens were analyzed with immunohistochemical methods, using antibodies against bcl-2. The bcl-2 protein was expressed in myenteric and submucous neurons in normal adult and HD expand segment, but no bcl-2 immunoreactive enteric neurons was revealed in the narrow segment. And nerve fibers of the enteric plexuses that were bcl-2 immunoreactive were few in all examined specimens. From the conclusion, expression of bcl-2 is displayed in enteric neurons and immunohistochemical analysis of bcl-2 may also be valuable for identification of the enteric neurons in HD.