Experimental Study On The Expression Of Connexin-43 Gene In Instersitial Cell Of Cajal From Detrusor Instability

Objective To investigate the expression changges of connexin-43 gene in the instersitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) from detrusor instability rats bladder in vitro, and explore the relations in the development of detrusor instability (DI)Methods Ligated the perineal urethra of the adult female guinea pigs. Filling cystometry were operated 6 weeks later, and then observed the bladder pressure, capacity changing and the probability of DI. According to the results, the model of guinea pigs were decided to DI group. Another some healthy female guinea pigs served as control group. ICCs and smooth muscle cells were primarily cultured from the two groups by collagenase digestion method. The expressions of c-Kit and smooth muscle actin were detected by immunofluo rescent method. RT-PCR were employed to detect the expression of connexin-43 gene in the cultured ICCs and smooth muscle cells.Results The expression of c-Kit was positive in ICCs but negative in smooth muscle cells. On the contrary, the expression of smooth muscle actin was negative in ICCs ,but positive in smooth muscle cells.Connexin-43 expression was significantly higher in ICCs than that in smooth muscle cells from the two groups (P<0.05), and connexin-43 expression was higher in DI group than that in normal control group (P<0.01)Conclusion High expression of connexin-43 might be the important for the signal transmission in bladder ICCs of guinea pigs. The expression connexin-43 gene was significantly increased in ICCs from detrusor instability, suggesting that the increase of intercellular excitatory communication is associated with detrusor instability.