ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the change regulations of inorganic elements in smooth muscle cells of sever scalded rats′gas‐trointestinal tracts and the effects of rhubarb on promoting bowel movement .Methods A total of 68 healthy male rats were select‐ed ,8 rats were enrolled in the healthy control group ,the other 60 rats were selected to establishing 30% scalded models .The trea‐ting scalded group(30 rats) were treated by tube‐feeding of extracting solution of rhubarb ,while the scalded control group(30 rats) were given commensurable distilled water .The concentrations of Cu2+ 、Zn2+ 、Ca2+ and Mg2+ in smooth muscle cells of gastrointes‐tinal tracts were determined 6 ,12 ,24 ,48 and 72 h after establishing scalded rats .Results The concentrations of Cu2+ ,Zn2+ and Ca2+ were decreased ,while the concentration of Mg2+ was initially increased and then decreased ,statistically significant differences were found when compared with the healthy control group (P< 0 .05) .12 h after scalding ,concentrations of these inorganic ele‐ments of rats in the treating scalded group were almost back to normal levels ,and there were statistically significant differences when compared with the scalded control group at any time points (P<0 .05) .Conclusion It is shown that concentrations of inor‐ganic elements in smooth muscle cells of rats′gastrointestinal tracts change obviously at the early stage of sever scald ,and early treatment with rhubarb could regulate levels of inorganic elements .