Changes of interstitial cells of Cajal and c-kit mRNA expression in jejunum of rats of experimental acute necrotizing pancreatitis / 中华胰腺病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the changes of Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) and c-kit mRNA expression in jejunum of rats of experimental acute necrotizing pancreatitis ( ANP), and to investigate its possible mechanism of gastrointestinal dysmotility.Methods 24 male SD rats were randomly divided into ANP group and control group with 12 rats in each group.ANP rats were induced by choledochal retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate.1.0 ml of methylene blue was injected through gastric tube 23 h after induction,and 1 h later the rats were sacrificed.The distance from pylorus to methylene blue stained place was measured,and intestinal motility was assessed by testing small intestinal propulsion rate.Pancreatic and intestinal tissues were routinely sent to pathological examination.Immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR method was used to detect the c-kit protein and mRNA expression of ICC in jejunum.Ultrastructures of ICC were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy.Results Destroyed lobular structure of pancreatic acinar cells, flake bleeding and focal necrosis, large amount of inflammatory cell infiltration was observed;mucosal edema,erosion and inflammatory cell infiltration was also observed.Compared with control group, the small intestinal propulsion rate of ANP group decreased significantly [ (41.55 ± 3.85 ) % vs ( 68.66 ± 2.66 ) %, P ＜ 0.05 ) ],fewer positive c-kit area ( 56.11 ± 5.09 vs 88.47 ± 4.49, P ＜ 0.05 ) and fewer c-kit mRNA expression (0.64±0.33 vs 1.29 ±0.91, P ＜0.05) was detected.Vacuolation of mitochondria of ICC in ANP group and decreased surrounding apophyses, vague connecting structure with adjacent smooth muscle cells were observed.Conclusions Decrease of ICC and ultrastructural changes play an important role in intestinal dysmotility during ANP, and the changes of ICC may be resulted from the reduced expression of c-kit gene.