The Changes Of Interstitial Cells Of Cajal In The Gastrointestinal Tract Of Rats With Acute Hepatic Failure

Objective:To establish the models of gastrointestinal dysfunction of rats with acute hepatic failure, and explore its pathogenesis by examining and comparing the distribution and quantity of interstitial cells of cajal ( ICC ) in the gastrointestinal tract of normal and model rats by immunohistochemical study.Methods:(1) Dividing and building model: Sixty-five female wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group and model group. The latter group included thirty-five cases of rat were intraperitoneally injected with thioacetamide (TAA, 350mg/kg), three times at same time for three days. The former group included thirty cases of rat were intraperitoneally injected with physiologic saline for substitute served as controls. Then we observed the clinical manifestations of rats. The models of gastrointestinal dysfunction of rats with acute hepatic failure were defined by the delay of gastric emptying velocity and trans-gastrointestinal time. (2) Collecting sample and testing: To observe condition of liver and gastrointestinal tract both in normal and model rats by HE staining. Immunohistochemical study was used to examine and compare the distribution and quantity of interstitial cells of cajal in the gastrointestinal tract of normal and model rats. Results:(1) When compared with the normal control group, typical performance of gastrointestinal dysfunction and hepatic encephalopathy occurred in the model group,trans-gastrointestinal time and gastric emptying velocity of the model group were significantly delayed ( P<0.05 ). The gastrointestinal dysfunction models of rats with acute hepatic failure were induced successfully. (2) Compared with the normal control group, the HE staining showed that necrosis of liver tissue and injury of gastrointestinal tract occurred in the model group. (3) Compared with the normal control group, the immunohistochemical staining showed in the model group that ICC were greatly reduced in the gastrointestinal tract ( P<0.05 ).Conclusion:(1) The models of gastrointestinal dysfunction of rats with acute hepatic failure can be induced by intraperitoneal injection with TAA ( 350mg/kg ), three times at same time for three days. (2) The quantity of ICC in the gastrointestinal tract is reduced. The loss of ICC may play a key role in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal dysfunction in rats with acute hepatic failure.