[Experimental study on expression of connexin 43 in meridians of rats].
OBJECTIVE
To probe into expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) in the meridians of the normal healthy rats and the relation among connexin, gap junction and meridian.


METHODS
PowerVision two step immunohistochemical technique and ASIAS-2000 automatical image-scan analyzing system were used to detect Cx43 level and distribution in the Kidney and Bladder Meridians of the rat.


RESULTS
Cx43 expressed mainly in skin epithelia, fibroblasts and mast cells of the subcutaneous layer. And expression of Cx43 in the Kidney and Bladder Meridians was significantly more than that in the control lines (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Connexins and gap junctions have close relation with the meridians, and the gap junctional intercellular communication may play an important role in the function of meridians.
Zheng
Cui-hong
CH
Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
Huang
Guang-ying
GY
Zhang
Ming-min
MM
Xiao
Yan-ling
YL
D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000378:metabolism; D017630:Connexins; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000378:metabolism; D016740:Meridians; D051381:Rats
D018031:Connexin 43; D017630:Connexins