Abdominal Manual Therapy Repairs Interstitial Cells of Cajal and Increases Colonic c-Kit Expression When Treating Bowel Dysfunction after Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries can lead to bowel dysfunction, affecting the quality of life. This study investigates how abdominal manual therapy (AMT) can improve bowel function after spinal cord injury (SCI) by looking at specific cells in the colon called interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs). The study found that AMT can help restore the number and function of ICCs, which are important for gut motility. They generate rhythmic depolarizations, which spread to smooth muscle cells and promote contraction. AMT appears to work by increasing the levels of a protein called c-kit, which is important for the health and function of ICCs. The intensity and frequency of the therapy affect how well it works.

• 1
  AMT significantly increased weight, shortened time to defecation, increased feces amounts, and improved fecal pellet traits and colon histology in SCI rats.
• 2
  AMT improved the number, distribution, and ultrastructure of colonic ICCs, increasing colonic c-kit mRNA and protein levels.
• 3
  High-intensity AMT showed better therapeutic effects in improving intestinal transmission function and promoting c-kit expression compared to low-intensity AMT and drug treatment.