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.
Lou
Zheng
Z
Research Institute of General Surgery, Jinling Hospital, 305 Zhongshan East Road, Nanjing, PR China.
Li
Jie Shou
JS
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