摘要BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that neurons expressing estrogen receptor and nerve growth factor exist in the intrinsic cardiac ganglia in rats. However, it remains to be shown whether estrogen receptor and nerve growth factor are co-expressed within these cells.OBJECTIVE: To determine whether estrogen receptor and nerve growth factor are co-expressed in intrinsic cardiac ganglia. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: This cellular morphology observational study was performed at the Immunohistochemistry Department, Medicine School, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, between March and July in 2007. MATERIALS: Mouse anti-estrogen receptor and rabbit anti-nerve growth factor polyclonal antibody, biotinylated goat anti-mouse IgG, and biotinylated goat anti-rabbit IgG were provided by Wuhan Boster, China.METHODS: Ten healthy, Wistar rats were included in the present study. Ten sections of intrinsic cardiac ganglia from the atrial posterior wall were randomly selected from each rat to perform estrogen receptor and nerve growth factor double-labeling immunohistochemical staining.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Expression of estrogen receptor and nerve growth factor in intrinsic cardiac ganglia of rats.RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry results demonstrated expression of estrogen receptor and nerve growth factor in rat intrinsic cardiac ganglia, and double-labeling revealed co-expression of estrogen receptor and nerve growth factor in intrinsic cardiac ganglial cells. CONCLUSION: Estrogen receptor and nerve growth factor were shown to be co-expressed in rat intrinsic cardiac ganglial cells.