Calbindin 2 ; metabolism ; Colon ; metabolism ; Hirschsprung Disease ; metabolism ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of serum from scalded rats on the cytoskeleton of colonic smooth muscle cells (CSMC) of rats cultured in vitro, and to probe the possible mechanism of gastrointestinal motility disorder after burn.

METHODSCSMC isolated from healthy adult Wistar rat were cultured and divided into scald serum group (SS) and normal serum group (NS) according to the random number talbi. Two normal Wistar rats were used, one of which was inflicted with deep partial-thickness scald. Serum was obtained from blood collected from these two rats respectively and diluted to 20% in concentration. Serum from scald and normal rats were respectively added to the culture of CSMC in SS and NS groups. The expression of actin and the relative content of β-tubulin in CSMC was respectively determined with flow cytometry and Western blot at post treatment hour (PTH) 1, 3, 6, and 12 (with 10 samples in each group at each time point). Data were processed with t test.

RESULTSFluorescence intensity of actin in SS group at PTH 1, 3, 6, and 12 was respectively 59 ± 4, 26 ± 6, 39 ± 6, and 42 ± 6, all significantly lower than those in NS group (95 ± 10, 91 ± 10, 102 ± 9, and 97 ± 9, with t value respectively 10.528, 18.069, 18.748, 16.647, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). In SS group, the fluorescence intensity decreased to the nadir at PTH 3, and then increased persistently at PTH 6 and 12. (2) Relative content of β-tubulin in SS group at PTH 1, 3, 6, and 12 was respectively 14.44 ± 0.26, 8.61 ± 0.19, 11.76 ± 0.31, and 12.13 ± 0.29, all significantly less than those in NS group (22.37 ± 1.15, 21.87 ± 1.79, 23.24 ± 1.55, and 21.99 ± 2.02, with t value respectively 21.176, 23.365, 23.000, 15.273, P values all below 0.01). In SS group, the relative content of β-tubulin decreased to the nadir at PTH 3 and increased slowly at PTH 6 and 12.

CONCLUSIONSThe reduction of CMSC content which has the tendency of increasing later, can be attributed to the influence of scald serum in initial stage. This may be related to the tolerance and adaptation to scald serum and self-repair of CMSC.

Animals ; Burns ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Colon ; cytology ; Cytoskeleton ; metabolism ; Male ; Microtubules ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Serum

OBJECTIVETo observe changes of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8), calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in each tissue of the digestive system of allergic asthma (AA) model rats.

METHODSThe pulmonary disease (AA) rat model was duplicated by 1% ovalbumin. Its effect on the pathological morphology of the six main parts of the digestive system (stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon and rectum) and related regulating factors such as CCK8, CGRP, SP, and VIP were observed.

RESULTSThe pathological morphology of the lung was synchronously changed as that of the colon of model rats. But there was no obvious change in the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, or rectum. Significant changes occurred in CCK8 (79 961.4 +/- 12 577.9, 48 519.5 +/- 12 240.7), CGRP (41 950.1 +/- 12 600.1, 38 059.8 +/- 11 942.4), and SP (88 243.9 +/- 32 177.2, 47 417.8 +/- 16 462.4), and VIP (20 711.4 +/- 7 334.6, 43 208.1 +/- 13 433.8) of the lung tissue and the colon tissue of model rats (P < 0. 05, P < 0.01). But there was no significant change in the aforesaid substances of the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum and rectum (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPulmonary disease might affect the colon, inducing pathological changes of the colon tissue and changes of related regulating factors such as CCK8, CGRP, SP, and VIP. It showed no significant effect on the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum and rectum.

Animals ; Asthma ; metabolism ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; metabolism ; Colon ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Lung ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sincalide ; metabolism ; Substance P ; metabolism ; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the absorption kinetics of dehydrocavidine in rats' stomachs and intestines.

METHODThe absorption kinetics was investigated by the in situ perfusion in rats and the concentrations of drug perfusion solutions were determined by HPLC.

RESULTThe hourly absorption percentages of dehydrocavidine in stomach, small intestine were 8.88%, 2.08%, respectively. Although the absorption rate constants of dehydrocavidine in duodenum and jejunum are more than that in ileum and colon, there is no significance difference between them. The absorption rate constants kept at the same level when the concentrations of drug perfusion solution are at middle and high level. The increase of the pH of perfusion solution didnt significantly affect the absorption rate constants of the drug.

CONCLUSIONDehydrocavidine was absorbed poorly at stomach and all segments of intestine in rats, but the absorptions in stomach are better than intestine. Dehydrocavidine was absorbed mainly via passive transport mechanism between middle and high concentration levels.

Animals ; Berberine Alkaloids ; pharmacokinetics ; Colon ; metabolism ; Duodenum ; metabolism ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Ileum ; metabolism ; Intestines ; metabolism ; Jejunum ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stomach ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of aquaporin 3, 4, and 8 in the colonic mucosa of rat models with slow transit constipation (STC).

METHODSSTC rat model was established by giving the rats the compound solution of diphenoxylate. Real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure the expression of aquaporin mRNA in colonic mucosa of STC rat models (study group,n=16) and normal rats (control group,n=16). Gray scale ratio of aquaporin to β-action (internal reference) was used for quantification.

RESULTSRT-PCR revealed that the mean gray scale ratios of aquaporin 3 in the proximal colon of the study group and control group were 0.344 and 0.602 (P<0.05), and were 0.419 and 0.509 in the distal colon (P>0.05), respectively. The mean gray scale ratios of aquaporin 4 in the proximal and the distal colon were 0.764 and 0.759 in the study group (P>0.05), and were 0.776 and 0.736 in the control group (P>0.05), respectively. However, there was no expression of aquaporin 8 in the proximal and the distal colon in either the study group or the control groups.

CONCLUSIONSExpression of aquaporin 3 in the proximal colon of STC rat models is down-regulated, which regulates water absorption. There are no significant changes in the expressions of aquaporin 4 and 8.

Animals ; Aquaporin 3 ; metabolism ; Aquaporin 4 ; metabolism ; Aquaporins ; metabolism ; Colon ; metabolism ; Constipation ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Intestinal Mucosa ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Colonic diffuse ganglioneuromatosis is a benign neoplastic condition characterized by disseminated, intramural, or transmural proliferation of neural elements involving the enteric plexuses, sometimes associated with von Recklinghausen's disease and other multiple tumor syndromes. Colonic diffuse ganglioneuromatosis is usually large, ranging from 1 to 17 cm, and thus can distort the surrounding tissue architecture as well as infiltrate the adjacent bowel wall. However, colonic diffuse ganglioneuromatosis is an exceptional finding in adults and only individual cases are reported in the literature. Herein, we report two unusual cases of adult patients with colonic diffuse transmural ganglioneuromatosis presenting as a large subepithelial tumor.
Adult ; Aged ; Colon/metabolism/*pathology ; Colonoscopy ; Ganglioneuroma/*diagnosis/metabolism/pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; S100 Proteins/metabolism ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression and activity of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) in the colon and its role in children with slow transit constipation (STC).

METHODSPatients were divided into constipation group (n=21) and control group (n=15). The constipation group was consistent with the diagnostic criteria for STC. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR were used to examine the FAAH expression in surgical specimen of colon. The location and distribution of FAAH and cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) were detected by immunofluorescence double staining. The biological activity of colon FAAH was detected by high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTSWestern blotting revealed that FAAH protein expression in the ascending colon, descending colon and sigmoid colon were significantly decreased in the myenteric neurons and absorption cells in the constipation group as compared with the control group (8.68+/-3.4 vs 10.47+/-3.7, 8.21+/-1.2 vs 9.95+/-6.4, 8.01+/-7.2 vs 9.79+/-3.4, all P<0.05). The same results were found by immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR. The FAAH hydrolysis activity in the ascending colon, descending colon or sigmoid colon decreased significantly in the constipation group, as compared with the control group [(0.51+/-0.23) nmol x min(-1) x mg(-1) vs (0.84+/-0.24) nmol x min(-1) x mg(-1), (0.39+/-0.25) nmol x min(-1) x mg(-1) vs (0.55+/-0.44) nmol x min(-1) x mg(-1), (0.35+/-0.37) nmol x min(-1) x mg(-1) vs (0.58+/-0.48) nmol x min(-1) x mg(-1), all P<0.05].

CONCLUSIONFAAH expression and hydrolysis activity in the colon decrease in children with STC. FAAH may play a role in the pathogenesis of slow transit constipation in Children.

Adolescent ; Amidohydrolases ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chronic Disease ; Colon ; metabolism ; Constipation ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male

AIMTo examine the ability of calcium ionophore (CI) to induce tryptase and histamine release from human mast cells and its mechanisms.

METHODSEnzymatically dispersed cells from human colons were challenged with CI, and the cell supernatants after challenge were collected. Tryptase release was determined with a sandwich ELISA procedure and histamine release was measured using a glass fibre-based fluorometric assay.

RESULTSCI was able to induce a concentration dependent release of histamine and tryptase from human colon mast cells following 15 min incubation. The maximum of induced histamine and tryptase release were approximately 5.3 and 2.8 fold more than the levels of spontaneous release, respectively. CI at the concentrations higher than 1.0 micromol/L was able to induce significantly more histamine than tryptase release from mast cells. The time course revealed that the action of CI on mast cells started from 10 s, peaked at 6 min and lasted at least 15 min following incubation. Pertussis toxin and metabolic inhibitors were able to inhibit mast cell response to CI.

CONCLUSIONHuman colon mast cells were able to release tryptase and histamine in response to CI. The process seemed to be associated with the activation of a G-protein coupled receptor on the membrane of mast cells and requires cell energy supply.

Calcium Ionophores ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Colon ; cytology ; Histamine ; metabolism ; Humans ; Mast Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; secretion ; Tryptases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of integrin α4β7 in the development of ulcerative colitis (UC) in rats.

METHODSSixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the control group (acetone enema), the model group (2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene, DNCB enema), and the α4 intervention group. Colonic mucosa of different groups was observed and compared in terms of pathology and cytokine changes(IL-2 and IL-6) using ELISA. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to detect the colon α4β7 expression. Integrin α4β7(+) lymphocytes in the portal vein of rats were determined by flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe expression of α4 mRNA was 0.68±0.24 in the model group and 0.58±0.37 in the intervention group, and the expression of β7 mRNA was 0.84±0.37 in the model group and 0.65±0.30 in the intervention group, which were all significantly higher as compared to those in the control group(0.15±0.13 for α4 and 0.24±0.62 for β7, P<0.01). The proportions of integrin α4β7 positive lymphocytes in the portal vein in the model group and intervention group were significantly higher than that in the control group [(76.7±8.2)% and (68.2±7.6)% vs. (14.7±6.7)%, P<0.01]. The expression of IL-2 and IL-6 and the result of macroscopic and microscopic scores in the intervention group were lower than those in the model group(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSHigh expression of α4β7 may play an important role in experimental colon mucosa inflammation in rats with ulcerative colitis. The blockade of integrin α4β7 may be a potential target to reduce colonic mucosa inflammation.

Animals ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; metabolism ; pathology ; Colon ; metabolism ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Integrins ; metabolism ; physiology ; Interleukin-2 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Intestinal Mucosa ; pathology ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo evaluate colon targeting characteristic of Kuikang colon targeted pellets (KCP) with determination of residual baicalin and baicalein concentration in gastrointestinal tract (GIT).

METHODThe baicalin and baicalein were assayed by HPLC. The recovery differences of the drug between KCP and conventional pellets from GIT were investigated, three and six hours after administration.

RESULTThe baicalin recovery of KCP (70%) from rat GIT was higher than that of CP (about 20%). Most of KCP were intact at 3 h after oral administration, and distributed in lower ileum. It indicated that release site of KCP was in lower ileum and colon. Six hours later, a small amount of baicalin was recovered in intestime, which showed that the release of baicalin from KCP was complete.

CONCLUSIONThe determination of residual baicalin in rat GIT was feasibility for evaluating KCP. The result confirmed KCP of colon targeting property.

Animals ; Colon ; metabolism ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Drug Implants ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; metabolism ; Flavanones ; metabolism ; Flavonoids ; metabolism ; Ileum ; metabolism ; Logistic Models ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar