Fig. 6. c-Kit (a and c) and protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5; b and d) immunoreactivities in control (a and b) and STZ diabetic rat colon (c and d).
a: c-Kit-positive interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) were distributed in both circular (CM) and longitudinal muscle layers (LM) as well as at the level of Auerbach’s plexus (AP) and the submuscular plexus (SMP).
b: PGP 9.5-positive enteric nerves were concentrated at the AP as well as scattered in both CM and LM.
c: in diabetic rats, there were very few ICC in both muscle layers and at the level of the SMP.
ICC-AP density was not changed.
d: enteric nerves within the musculature were greatly reduced.