Distribution of interstitial cells of Cajal in the Esophagus and change in distribution after thoracic trauma.

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) function as pacemaker cells in the gastrointestinal tract. Acute thoracic trauma is a common and lethal cause of death due to physical trauma caused by traffic accidents. This study aimed to explore the distribution of esophageal ICCs and distribution changes observed after acute thoracic trauma. Thirty rabbits were randomly divided into a control group and two study groups. The control group animals underwent an esophagectomy. All animals in the study groups underwent right chest puncture using the Hopkinson bar technique. The study groups were subjected to esophagectomy 24 and 72 h after chest puncture. Distribution, morphology, and density of esophageal ICCs were detected using transmission electron microscopy, toluidine blue staining, and immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis of esophageal ICCs was evaluated using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP Nick-End Labeling assay. Western blotting and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were used to detect changes in the SCF/c-kit signaling pathway. Esophageal ICCs distribution and SCF/c-kit signal pathway decreased from the upper part to the lower part in both physiological state and after thoracic trauma. In contrast, death of ICCs increased from the upper part to the lower part, both in physiological and injured state (P < 0.05). After thoracic trauma, increased ICCs and decreased death of ICCs in all parts of the esophagus (P < 0.05) were observed. The observed distribution and changes in esophageal ICCs would have an impact on motility and motility disorders of the esophagus.