Clinical Significance of GDNF/GFRα1/RET Expression in Distal Rectum with Congenital Anorectal Malformation / 天津医药

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the significance and expression of the GDNF/GFRα1/RET genes in distal rectum with Congenital Anorectal Malformations(ARMs) Methods Specimens were collected from resected colon which is 3 cm away to the anus and the distal of rectum in 12 ARMs patients. Haematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) were used to test RET, GDNF and GFRα1 expression in the differ-ent site of samples with ARMs. Results Expression of ganglia and RET, GDNF and GFRα1 were all negative in distal rec-tum in 12 ARMs patients. Ganglionic cells were found in tissues 3 cm away from the anus where RET, GDNF and GFRα1 expression were also positive in those ARMs patients. Expression of RET, GDNF and GFRα1 were strong positive in middle and low imperforate anus indicated by brown color and week positive in high imperforate anus indicated by yellow color. One case of faeces contamination and one case of loose motion without anal incontinence were found in post-op follow up of high ARMs patients. By contrast, one case of rectal mucosa prolapse and one case of occasional faeces contamination which recov-ered with hip bath were found in post op follow up in middle or low ARMs. Conclusion The unsatisfactory anorectal func-tion is possibly related to the decrease or lost of neurotrophic factors (GDNF/GFRα1/RET) and ganglia in the myenteric plex-uses post plastic surgery in ARMs patients.