Beschreibung:
Substance P‐immunoreactive nerve fiber (SP‐IR NF) and calcitonin‐gene‐related peptide‐immunoreactive nerve fiber (CGRP‐IR NF) are important mediators of neurogenic inflammation and blood supply. The presence of SP‐IR and CGRP‐IR NFs indicate vascular regulation, such as vasodilation or vasoconstriction (de Hozet al., 2008). SP‐IR and CGRP‐IR NFs have been found in mammalian middle ear mucosa (Ylikoski, 1989). However, the distribution of SP‐IR and CGRP‐IR NFs in the blood vessels of the human tensor tympani muscle (TTM) have not previously been reported. In this study, the TTM, tympanic membrane, malleus in the middle ear and tensor veli palatini muscle (TVPM) were examined by whole‐mount immunohistochemistry or cross‐section for distribution of cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31) and lymphatic endothelial marker (D2‐40) in tissue from Japanese subjects. Thirteen human cadavers (ranging in age from 46‐90 years) were used in this study. SP‐IR and CGRP‐IR NFs were primarily found on vessels at the origin, insertion and belly of the surface of two muscles. Moreover, different distribution of CD31 and D2‐40 were also detected using immunohistochemical methods. The SP‐IR and CGRP‐IR NFs neural factors were detected on the surface of the malleus and the insertion of the TVPM in our results. Different distribution of neural factors (SP‐IR and CGRP‐IR NFs) and angiogenesis markers (CD31 and D2‐40) were found in the cross‐section of two muscles. Therefore, our results indicate that existence of the SP‐IR and CGRP‐IR NFs of the TTM and the TVPM may reflect to characterize property of stimulation for pain or inflammation and also play different role of auditory muscular system in human.