TY - JOUR
T1 - The interstitial cells of Cajal of the equine gastrointestinal tract
T2 - what we know so far
AU - Fintl, C
AU - Hudson, N P H
PY - 2010/5
Y1 - 2010/5
N2 - Gastrointestinal motility disorders are a serious problem in both veterinary and human medicine and may represent a dysfunction of the neural, muscular or pacemaker components (interstitial cells of Cajal) of bowel control. The interstitial cells of Cajal are considered to be the pacemakers and mediators of certain forms of neurotransmission in the gastrointestinal tract. These cells have been implicated, either primarily or secondarily, in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal disease processes in which there is a prominent element of disturbance to intestinal motility. In the horse, their involvement has been implicated in large intestinal obstructive colic and grass sickness (equine dysautonomia). This review highlights the properties of the interstitial cells of Cajal and the role these cells play in orchestrating gastrointestinal motility patterns. In addition, it examines their role in intestinal motility disorders and summarises our current understanding of their importance in the equine gastrointestinal tract.
AB - Gastrointestinal motility disorders are a serious problem in both veterinary and human medicine and may represent a dysfunction of the neural, muscular or pacemaker components (interstitial cells of Cajal) of bowel control. The interstitial cells of Cajal are considered to be the pacemakers and mediators of certain forms of neurotransmission in the gastrointestinal tract. These cells have been implicated, either primarily or secondarily, in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal disease processes in which there is a prominent element of disturbance to intestinal motility. In the horse, their involvement has been implicated in large intestinal obstructive colic and grass sickness (equine dysautonomia). This review highlights the properties of the interstitial cells of Cajal and the role these cells play in orchestrating gastrointestinal motility patterns. In addition, it examines their role in intestinal motility disorders and summarises our current understanding of their importance in the equine gastrointestinal tract.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77952820344&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00073.x
DO - 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00073.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 20525058
SN - 0425-1644
VL - 42
SP - 372
EP - 377
JO - Equine Veterinary Journal
JF - Equine Veterinary Journal
IS - 4
ER -