Abstract
Objective To investigate the correlation of colonic function change with interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in rats with spinal cord injury and further evaluate the mechanism of intestinal dysfunction after spinal cord injury. Methods Using the modified Allen’s device, experimental spinal cord injury was induced by dropping a 10 g weight from the height of 25 cm on the T10 segment. A total of 10 male adult SD rats were divided into normal group (n=20), sham-operated group(n=20) and injury group (n=60), according to the random number table. At postoperative 1, 2 and 4 weeks, proximal colon tissues in each group were collected for morphological study using HE staining, bioelectricity study, ICC count and neuron absorbance value using double-labeling immunofluorescence staining, and expression of c-kit protein in ICC using Western blot method. Results Proximal colon epithelial cells arranged neatly in normal and sham-operated groups, while the lodging and shedding of villus epithelial cells and increased thickness of mucous layer and muscular layer were seen in injury group. Bioelectricity in injury group disordered with large amplitude variation and unstable waveform, compared to the regular biological activity in normal and sham-operated groups. Intramuscular ICC cell count in injury group was 57.38±4.69 at 1 week, 32.26±3.62 at 2 weeks and 25.07±3.05 at 4 weeks, significantly less than that in normal and sham-operated groups(P<0.05). At 2 weeks, mean absorbance value of the neuron in injury group (71.46±4.69) was less than that in normal and the sham-operated groups (114.30±24.44, 108.11±26.46)(P<0.05). Expression of c-kit protein in ICC cells was 0.745±0.017 at 1 week, 0.492±0.480 at 2 weeks and 0.409±0.032 at 4 weeks, significantly less than that in normal and sham-operated groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Colonic function in rats presents significant changes after spinal cord injury, and the changes may relate to the decrease of intramuscular ICC cell count and c-kit level in the colon. Key words: Intestines; Interstitial cells of Cajal; Spinal cord injures
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