Research Article

Electroacupuncture Regulates Apoptosis/Proliferation of Intramuscular Interstitial Cells of Cajal and Restores Colonic Motility in Diabetic Constipation Rats

Figure 4

Confocal images of ICC-IM in each group showing the apoptosis of ICC-IM. (a)–(c) In the control group, nearly no cell was labeled by TUNEL method and displayed a perfect network. (d)–(f) In the DM group, a large number of Kit+/TUNEL+ cells (arrowheads) were observed, and the Kit+ cellular networks were severely damaged. (g)–(i) In the SEA group, a number of apoptotic Kit+ ICC-IM (arrowheads) were observed and the network of ICC-IM was not restored. (j)–(l) In the LEA group, the network of ICC-IM was partially restored and rare double labeled cells (arrowheads) were distributed within ICC-IM. (m)–(o) In the HEA group, the apoptotic ICC-IM nearly vanished and was accompanied by a more intact network. Scale bar = 50 μm and refers to all panels.
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