Objective To investigate the possible role of abnormal signal transduction in smooth muscle cell in the pathogenesis of diabetic gastroparesis. Methods Healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: normal,model group,diabetes was induced by Ⅳ of alloxan,50mg/kg. Gastric emptying was measured by method of nutritious semisolid paste. The level of cAMP in gastric smooth muscle cell was measured by radioimmunoassay. Gsαand GiαmRNA positive cells were quantitatively measured by in situ hybridization and computer image analysis system respectively. Results ( 1 ) Gastric emptying rate of the normal was significantly higher than that of model group (P < 0.05 ) ; (2)the level of cAMP of the normal was significantly lower than that of model group( P < 0.05 ) ; (3)the expression of GsαmRNA in the model group was significantly higher than that of the normal groups( P < 0.05 ) ; (4) there was no marked difference in the expression of GiαmRNA between 2 groups( P > 0.05). Conclusion Altered expression of GSαmRNA may play a key role in the pathogenesis of diabetic gastroparesis.