Changes of amount and ultrastructure of interstitial cells of Cajal in rats with severe acute pancreatitis and their importance

Objective: To investigate the changes in the amount and ultrastructure of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and their importance. Methods: A modified Aho method was employed to establish a SAP rat model. Laser scanning confocal immunofluorescence microscopy was employed to detect the amount of ICC, and transmission electron microscopy was employed for observation of ultrastructure of ICC and nerve-ICC-smooth muscle network. Results: The amount of ICC reduced, the intercellular space of ICC was enlarged, cell processes reduced or were absent, cell morphology was irregular, and ICC had unclear borderline, reduced organelles, impaired organelles, nuclear shrinkage and deformation. The junctions between ICC and between ICC and smooth muscle cell/nerve reduced, and the network-like structure was disrupted. Conclusion: In SAP, ICC reduces, with disrupted ultrastructure, and the integrity of network among intestinal nerve, ICC and smooth muscle is impaired, both of which may affect the intestinal functions.