title: Assessing the interstitial cells of Cajal, cells of enteric nervous system and neurotransmitters in slow transit constipation, using immunohistochemistry for CD117, PGP9.5 and serotonin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Slow transit constipation is one of the common causes of chronic constipation, in which the intestinal diameter is normal, but its transit time is markedly increased. The underlying cause in this disease is not definitely understood.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study was investigated the difference in the quantity of pace maker cells, cells of enteric nervous system and serotonin positive cells in normal colon and colon of the patients with slow transit constipation by using immunohistochemistry for c-Kit, PGP 9.5 and serotonin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of c-Kit positive pacemaker cells in the muscular layer was significantly decreased in the patients with slow transit constipation. PGP 9.5 positive enteric nervous system cells were significantly decreased in the patients with slow transit constipation in inner circular layer. Number of serotonin positive cells in the patients with slow transit constipation was significantly increased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Slow transit constipation is most probably a true enteric neuropathy.
authors.affiliation: Pathology Department, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. geramib@sums.ac.ir
authors.forename: Bita
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Geramizadeh
authors.forename: Kamran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hayati
authors.forename: Marjan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rahsaz
authors.forename: Seyed-Vahid
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Hosseini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002452:Cell Count; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003248:Constipation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D017615:Enteric Nervous System / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D056885:Interstitial Cells of Cajal / Q000166:cytology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000032:analysis*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000032:analysis*; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; C482860:UCHL1 protein, human; D012701:Serotonin; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase