Effects of long-term application of Rhubarb on electromyography and interstitial cells of Cajal of colon in rats

Objective To investigate the effects of long-term application of cathartics on electromyography of rat colon and to explore the role of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in it. Methods Colonic slow waves of the rat was examined after the animals were fed for 3 months. ICC in myenteric plexus was observed by ZIO method. Meanwhile, the ultrastructural changes of the nerves and ICC were also observed. Results The frequency of slow waves of cathartic colon was reduced significantly (P0.05). The distribution of ICC in myenteric plexus was asymmetric and the processes connected with each other. Vacuolar degeneration of axon and ICC-like cells was revealed by electron microscopy in myenteric plexus of cathartic colon. Conclusion Long-term application of Rhubarb can lead to reduced frequency of colonic slow waves. The possible mechanism is the degeneration of ICC and myenteric nerve plexus.