Morphology, Pacemaker Function Of Interstitial Cells Cajal-like Cells In The Guinea Pig Urinary Bladder

Purpose:The purpose of this is to provide proofs to prove that the Cajal-like cells in guinea pig bladder is the pacemaker by observe its utrastructure and electrophysiological, and offer a new starting point linical and treatment of certain diseases (such as the detrusor instability, DI).Methods:In this experimental we can get the cajal-like interstitial cells by enzyme digestion method. We observe ICCs ultrastructure by transmission electron microscope; Cells were loaded with fluo-4 AM dye. Using laser scanning microscope imaging records the change of calcium fluorescence intensity. Fluorescence intensity was on behalf of changes of the intracellular calcium concentration; by patch clamp technology We observe the calcium current of ICCs in the whole-cell recording mode. It can provide a proof to verify that the ICCs in guinea pig bladder is the pacemaker.Results:In this experimental the ICCs can be observed to have rich in mitochondria, developed the RER, the sliding surface endoplasmic reticulum, Gorky body. There were 2 different types of spontaneous calcium oscillation in the Cajal-like interstitial cells of bladder:large, slow calcium oscillation and small, irregular calcium oscillation. The first type of calcium oscillation was completely different from those of smooth muscle cells; By the patch clamp technology We can't observe the type calcium current of ICCs in the whole-cell recording mode.Conclusion:The ICCs in guinea pig bladder have a unique ultrastructure, which similar with the ICCs's in the gastrointestinal tract. We have confirmed that part of the Cajal-like interstitial cells existence of the spontaneous calcium oscillation in the bladder of adult guinea-pig, which like the pacemaker cells of interstitial cells of Cajal in the digestive tract. The spontaneous calcium oscillation was not observed in urinary bladder detrusor. Implying that part of the.Cajal-like interstitial cells may be the pacemaker cells of contraction or activity of bladder. The role of the other part of the Cajal-like interstitial cells in urinary bladder possibly plays the conduction, the coupling information.