AJP - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, Vol 273, Issue 1 147-G157, Copyright © 1997 by American Physiological Society
Distribution of ICC and motor response characteristics in urinary bladders reconstructed from human ileum
M. S. Faussone-Pellegrini, S. Serni and M. Carini
Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Italy.
Motor patterns, intraluminal pressures, volume capacity, and histoanatomic
characteristics were studied in full thickness specimens from ileal
reservoirs (orthotopic ileal bladders) removed during corrective surgery.
Contractile activity was recorded in situ before corrective surgery.
Morphological examination was performed with both light and electron
microscopy. Two populations of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) were
identified: ICC at the level of the deep muscular plexus (ICC-DMP) and ICC
at the level of the myenteric plexus (ICC-MP). The ileal reservoirs left as
tubes generated phasic activity when filled with liquid, and all retained
the ICC-MP; however, after extended periods (e.g., 8 yr), these reservoirs
lost the ICC-DMP and were less responsive to distension. The detubularized
ileal reservoirs were not responsive to distension and did not generate
phasic activity; none had ICC-DMP and all had a disrupted ICC-MP network.
In conclusion, motor patterns were found to be specific for each type of
reservoir, and the two populations of ICC had characteristics specific for
the type of bladder reconstruction.
