OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of abdominal cavity infection and hypertension on the function of intestinal dynamic and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC).

METHODSSprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 was the sham group. In group 2, infection was induced by cecal puncture and ligation. In group 3, abdominal hypertension was created by placing a catheter into the abdominal cavity, and in group 4, both infection and hypertension were induced simultaneously. Small intestinal transit and in vitro muscle contractions were recorded. Ileum sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin were assessed pathologically. Immunopositivity of c-Kit as markers of ICC and ultrastructures were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTSAbdominal cavity infection, hypertension and infection plus hypertension decreased the intestinal transit ratios by 14%, 25% and 36% respectively as compared to the sham group. In the bowel segment of the above three groups, muscles showed a significant reduction in frequency and amplitude of contraction. Meanwhile, obvious pathological lesions and smaller positive c-Kit area were found in the above three groups. These changes were associated with the lesions of ICC networks and ultrastructure.

CONCLUSIONIntestinal dysmotility and decrease of c-Kit immunopositivity are induced by abdominal cavity infection and hypertension. ICC plays a central role in maintaining and disrupting the normal intestinal motility in the above conditions.