title: Gastro-electric dysrhythm and lack of gastric interstitial cells of cajal.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The pathophysiology underlying gastrointestinal complications of long-standing diabetes is poorly understood. Recent evidence suggests an important role of intestitial cells of cajal in controlling gastrointestinal motility. The aim of this study was to clarify the changes of ultrastructural characteristics of interstitial cells of cajal in stomach of diabetic gastro-electric dysrhythmic rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rats were randomly divided into diabetic group and control group, the model of diabetic rats was established by peritoneally injection of streptozotocin. Electrogastrograms were recorded and intestitial cells of cajal in antrum were observed by electrictelescopy after diabetic model rat was established for 3 mo.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the rats of diabetic group, the gastro-electric dysrhythmia was increased compared with control group, the abnormal rhythm index and the cofficient of variation of slow wave frequency were significantly higher than those of normal rats. The number of the gap junctions of interstitial cells of cajal in antrum of diabetic rats was significantly decreased, and the remaining structures were damaged. The organelles were also damaged, and vacuoles were formed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is possible that changes in ultrastructural characteristics of interstitial cells of cajal in stomach are one of the mechanisms underlying gastro-electric dysrhythm in diabetic rats.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Research Center, South-west Hospital, Third Military Medical Univisity, Chongqing 40038, China.
authors.forename: Qing-Lin
authors.initials: QL
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: Dian-Chun
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Hong-Tao
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Yuan-Hui
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Luo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017615:Enteric Nervous System / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011706:Pyloric Antrum / Q000294:innervation* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats