| Objective To observe distribution characteristics and content change of Cajalinterstitial cells in rat gastrointestinal tract of the model of slow transit constipation,inorder to evaluate the c-kit gene expression in gastrointestinal tract and the effect of theinterstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in slow transit constipation rats.Methods We selected twenty-four healthy Wistar rats and assigned to experimentaland control groups. In experimental group,the rats were daily administered withdiphenoxylate (8mg/kg) to develop slow transit constipation,while the control rats werefed with normal saline. The number and the weight of fecal granule and the body weightof rats were recorded every5days. Transit functions of gastrointestinal movement wereexamined by an activated charcoal suspension pushing test one week after stopping theadministration of diphenoxylate for60days and90days. After rats’dessection,gastricantrum,small intestine,colon tissue was selected. Using RT-PCR techniques,weobserved the c-kit gene expression in gastrointestinal tract of slow transit constipationmodel rats.Results The daily number of fecal granule in experimental group was significantlyless than that in control group. The mean weight of each fecal granule in experimentalgroup was significantly higher than that in control group (p<0.05).The discharge timeof the first granule of black faeces in experimental group was significantly longer thanthat in control group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between two groupsin stomach for60days and90days. The c-kit gene expression in small intestine of experimental group for90days was significantly reduced compared with that in controlgroup (p<0.05),but not for60days. The c-kit gene expression in distal colonic ofexperimental group for60days and90days was significantly reduced compared withthat in control group (p<0.05).Conclusion The visible reduction of c-kit gene expression in the distal colon may becontributed to the pathogenesis of slow transit constipation. |
