[Alterations of Cajal cells in the colon of slow transit constipation rats].

Objective: To investigate the association of expression of c-kit (marker of interstitial cells of Cajal, ICC) in colon with slow transit constipation (STC) in rats.

Methods: Slow transit constipation (STC) rat model was induced by intragastric administration of compound diphenoxylate. Western blotting was used to measure the expression of c-kit in colon of STC rats (model group) and normal rats (control group). Gray scale ratio of c-kit to β-actin was used as the relative quantity of c-kit.

Results: Fecal quantity per day of STC group was (1.3±0.7) g/100 g, significantly lower than that in normal rats [(1.6±0.9) g/100 g, t=10.798, P<0.05]. In model rats, the time of discharge of the first black fecal was (461.6±150.8) min, significantly longer than that in normal rats [(351.3±119.9) min, t=2.291, P<0.05]. Western blotting revealed that the average values of gray scale ratio of c-kit in proximal colon were 0.277±0.077 and 0.576±0.081 (t=10.719, P<0.05), in distal colon were 0.280±0.075 and 0.571±0.079 (t=10.700, P<0.05) in model group and control group respectively.

Conclusion: Down-regulation of c-kit expression in proximal colon and distal colon is associated to the pathogenesis of slow transit constipation in rats.