Objective To investigate the express of ERβ protein in female slow transit constipation (STC) patients. Methods Immunohistochemistry and Western blot technique were used to detect the distribution and expression of estrogen receptor β (ERβ) protein of 20 patients with STC and 20 aged-matched controls. Results ERβ expressions were detected in mucous layer, myenteric nerve plexus and submucous nerve plexus in two groups. In comparison with the control group, the expression of ERβ protein of STC group was much lower (Plt;0.01). The expression of ERβ protein of sigmoid colon in STC group was significantly lower than that in control group (Plt;0.05). Conclusion The expression of ERβ protein decreased in myenteric and submucous nerve plexus of sigmoid colon tissues may involve in the pathogenesis of STC.
Objective To study the effects of long term application of cathartics on electromyography of rat colon, and to explore the role of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in it. Methods Colonic slow waves of the rat was examined after 3-month feeding of phenolphthalein, and ICC in myenteric plexus was observed by ZIO method, and ultrastructure changes of nerves and ICC was observed. Results The frequency of slow waves of cathartic colon was reduced significantly(Ｐ＜0.05). The distribution of ICC in myenteric plexus was uneven, and the processes were mussily connected each other. Vacuolar degeneration of axon and ICC-like cells was revealed by electron microscope in myenteric plexus of cathartic colon. Conclusion Long term application of phenolphthalein could reduce the frequency of colonic slow waves, and the possible mechanism was degeneration of ICC and myenteric plexus nerves.