ABSTRACT
It has been suggested that neurotrophic factors play an essential role in the normal development and survival of neurons in the peripheral and central nervous system.37
Nerve growth factor (NGF) and neurotrophic factor-3 (NT-3) are well characterized neurotrophic factors that have been suggested to be crucial in the development and survival of enteric neurons.38-40 NGF is demonstrated to function as a trophic and chemotactic agent for developing nerves, promoting the outgrowth of axons and the establishment of synapses.41 NT-3 is reported to be essential for the development of enteric neurons and glia in vitro, having a mitotic effect on neural crest cells.40
Ohshiro and Puri42 investigated the levels of NGF and NT-3 in circular muscle layers of both aganglionic and normoganglionic colon. They reported that protein levels of NGF and NT-3 were significantly lower in the circular muscle layer of aganglionic colon than in the aganglionic colon, suggesting that the intestinal muscle in HD is less favorable for the normal development of
