Increased expression of C-KIT in ICC in colon of rats with visceral hypersensitivity

Objective To investigate the role of ICC in the pathophysiology of visceral hypersensitivity.Methods8 to 21 days after birth,the Wistar rats of the experimental group were injected with recta glacial acetic acid 0.6% 0.3~0.5 mL,the control group were injected the same dose of saline.The visceral sensitivity of 8-week-old rats was evaluated by colorectal distention,and recorded the water injection rate when the score of abdominal withdrawal reflex(AWR) was 3.The distal descending colon was taken to detect for C-KIT immunohistochemisty and Western blot.Results Compared with the control group,the water injection rate of the experimental group showed a significant decrease when the score of AWR was 3;C-KIT masculine cells counting in colon in the experimental group significantly increased;The expression of C-KIT protein in colon in the experimental group significantly increased.Conclusions The increase of ICC of rat with visceral hypersensitivity may be a possible cause of visceral hypersensitivity.