Expression And Significance Of Caspase-3 In Interstitial Cell Of Cajal(ICC) Of Small Intestine In Rats With Functional Dyspepsia(FD)

Objective: This research aims to explore the expression and significance of Caspase-3 in Interstitial Cell of Cajal(ICC)of small intestine in rats with functional dyspepsia.We Take Interstitial Cell of Cajal(ICC)in Small Intestine of FD Rats as the object of study,Identify ICC by immunofluorescence,observe the morphological changes of ICC by transmission electron microscopy and detect ICC expression of Caspase-3 and its mRNA by Western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Methods: 80 adult Wistar rats of SPF(specific pathogen free,SPF)grade in half genders were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups including normal control group(Group A,n=30),FD model group(Group B,n=50).In group A,rats were fed with normal saline.Group B was used as the model to establish FD rat model by traditional Chinese medicine.The general situation and weight changes of rats in the two groups were observed during feeding and modeling.After modelling,urinary D-xylose excretion rate and intestinal propulsive rate were determined in each group.Rats were killed by cervical dislocation,and the small intestine from the distal part of pylorus was taken as a specimen for experimental study.Immunofluorescence identify ICC and its number,transmission electron microscopy observe the morphological changes,Western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction detect ICC expression of Caspase-3 and its mRNA.Results: 1.Compared with control group A,The average weight of the rats dropped significantly,weight gained slowly and the excretion rate of D-xylose in urine reduced significantly in group B(P< 0.05).2.Compared with control group A,The volume of ICC went down,organelles were reduced,cytoplasm was swollen and even vacuolated.The connection structure with the peripheral smooth muscle cells and nerve fiber endings has different degree of disorder and destruction.Quantitative fluorescence analysis by laser confocal microscopy showed that the distribution of ICC in the small intestine of rats was significantly decreased compared with that of normal control mice.(P<0.05).3.Compared with control group A,Protein expression level and mRNA of Caspase-3 in ICC of rats was significantly increased in group B(P<0.05).Conclusion:1.The morphological and structural changes of ICC in rats play a role in the pathogenesis of functional dyspepsia.2.Apoptosis of intestinal Cajal mesenchymal cells due to high Caspase-3 expression is a possible cause of functional dyspepsia.