[Changes of ultrastructure characteritics of Cajal interstitial cell in intestinal tract of diabetic rats].

OBJECTIVE: This study is to clarify the changes of the ultrastructure characteristic of Cajal interstitial cell of diabetic rats intestinal tract. METHODS: Male SD rats were randomly divided into two groups: group A (diabetic), group B (control). 45 mg/kg Alloxan was injected into the group A, group B was injected with saline instead, after 12 weeks, the tissues of small intestine, colon were observed through electric telescope. RESULTS: The major change of Cajal interstitial cell of diabetic rat were showed as below: the number of the gap junctions between Cajal interstitial cell and neuron cells, between Cajal interstitial cell and myocyte, and between themselves were decreased significantly, and the structure of those gap junctions rested were also damaged; mitochondrion was swelling, vacuoles, dissolving; cytoplasm was dissolving, vacuoles were formed; the organelle were decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The ultrastructure of Cajal interstitial cell of diabetic had striking changes, these changes are closely related with the changes of their function, so it is very possible that these changes are one of the mechanisms of diabetic gastrointestinal dysfunction.