Interstitial cells of Cajal in abdominal sepsis and hypertension-induced ileus in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate injury to the myenteric interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC-MY) and assess the role of ICC-MY in gastrointestinal motility in rat models of abdominal sepsis and intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH).


METHODS
Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups; group 1: sham group; group 2: sepsis induced by cecal puncture and ligation; group 3: IAH created by placing a catheter into the abdominal cavity; group 4: sepsis and IAH induced simultaneously. Small intestinal segments were resected 24 h after surgery. Ileum sections stained with HE were assessed pathologically. The spontaneous mechanical activity was evaluated using the organ bath technique. The alterations in ICC-MY networks by immunohistochemical staining for c-Kit and the ultrastructural changes in ICC-MY by transmission electron microscopy were evaluated.


RESULTS
There were significant differences in the frequency and amplitude of the bowel segment contractions between groups 1, 2, 3 and 4. These changes were associated with lesions of ICC-MY networks and ultrastructure.


CONCLUSIONS
Abdominal sepsis and IAH resulted in damage to ICC-MY networks, leading to disordered intestinal rhythmicity. The combination of sepsis and IAH causes far more serious injury than either sepsis or IAH alone.
Research Institute of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, 305 Zhongshan East Road, Nanjing, PR China.
Zheng
Z
Lou
Jie Shou
JS
Li
D000818:Animals; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology*; D045823:Ileus / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009197:Myenteric Plexus / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D018805:Sepsis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit