The impact of acute stress disorder on gallbladder interstitial cells of Cajal |
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Authors: | Zhen-peng Huang Hu Qiu Ke Wang Wei-bo Chao Hao-bin Zhu Hang Chen Yue Liu Bao-ping Yu |
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Affiliation: | 1. Guangzhou Institute of Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital & Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China;2. Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China;3. Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shannxi Province, China;4. College of Clinical Medicine, Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shannxi Province, China;5. School of Aeronautics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shannxi Province, China |
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Abstract: | Physical and psychological stress exerts a substantial effect on gastrointestinal motility disorders, where trauma enhances symptoms of digestive dysfunction. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) act as pacemakers for gastrointestinal motility regulation and are likely important in stress-associated gastrointestinal motility disorders. This study explored the mechanisms underlying gallbladder ICCs function under acute stress conditions using a rabbit chest puncture and cholecystectomy model. The stem cell factor (SCF)/c-kit pathway is essential for the development of ICCs, and gene expression was investigated to identify stress-induced transcriptional alterations. Immunohistochemistry, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assays were used to determine ICCs apoptosis, whereas western blot analysis and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction were used to detect changes in the SCF/c-kit signaling pathway. These methods revealed a reduction in ICCs via apoptosis following stress, and ICCs increased over time after stressor removal. Therefore, this study demonstrates the impact of stress on ICCs development and survival and further confirms the link between stress and gastrointestinal motility. |
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Keywords: | acute stress c-kit interstitial Cajal cells stem cell factor |
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