[Involvements of the mitral apparatus in rabbits induced by vagal stimulation: histological and biochemical investigations].

To assess the influence of the vagus on the pathogenesis of changes in the mitral apparatus, histochemical study using acetylcholinesterase was performed in the rabbit heart. Vagal stimulation was conducted by electrical stimulation (Group I), clipping (Group II), or clipping with crushing (Group III) of the left cervical vagus. Acetylcholinesterase activity was not observed in any groups. However, in a rabbit with one-hour electrical stimulation of the vagus the activity was observed around the artery. However, the present study could not prove the direct effect of the peripheral vagal nerve on the changes observed by cervical vagal stimulation.