title: Reduced population of interstitial cells of Cajal in Chagasic megacolon.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In Chagasic megacolon, there is a reduction in the population of interstitial cells of Cajal. It was aimed to evaluate density of Cajal cells in the resected colon of Chagasic patients compared to control patients and to verify possible association between preoperative and postoperative bowel function of megacolon patients and cell count.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen megacolon patients (12 female; mean age 54.4 (31-73)) were operated on. Pre- and postoperative evaluation using Cleveland clinic constipation score was undertaken. Resected colons were examined. Cajal cells were identified by immunohistochemistry (anti-CD117). The mean cell number was compared to resected colons from 16 patients (7 female; mean age 62.8 (23-84)) with non-obstructive sigmoid cancer. Association between pre- and postoperative constipation scores and cell count for megacolon patients was evaluated using the Pearson test (r).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A reduced number of Cajal cells (per field: 2.84 (0-6.6) vs. 9.68 (4.3-13); p<0.001) were observed in the bowel of megacolon patients compared to cancer patients. No correlation between constipation score before (r=- 0.205; p=0.45) or after surgery (r=0.291; p=0.28) and cell count in megacolon was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with megacolon display marked reduction of interstitial cells of Cajal. An association of constipation severity and Cajal cells depopulation was not demonstrated.
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, Discipline of Digestive Surgery and Coloproctology, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo (SP), Brazil. sergioed@terra.com.br
authors: Sergio Eduardo
authors: SE
authors: Alonso Araujo
authors: Rodrigo Blanco
authors: RB
authors: Dumarco
authors: Viviane
authors: V
authors: Rawet
authors: Victor Edmond
authors: VE
authors: Seid
authors: Sylvio Figueiredo
authors: SF
authors: Bocchini
authors: Sergio Carlos
authors: SC
authors: Nahas
authors: Ivan
authors: I
authors: Cecconello
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002452:Cell Count; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D003106:Colon / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D003248:Constipation / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003672:Defecation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D056885:Interstitial Cells of Cajal / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology*; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008531:Megacolon / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000032:analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit