Abstract: Objective To explore the changes of interstitial cells of Cajal(ICCs) in the over active bladder(OAB) rats caused by recurrent cystitis. Methods Rats were divided into control group and experimental group(E.coli 1×10⁸~1.2×10⁸ CFU/mL, 100 μL bladder perfusion), The OAB model was confirmed by urine test, urine flow dynamics and HE staining of bladder tissue. The immunofluorescence staining method was performed to detect c-kit positive ICCs in bladder tissue. Western blot was used to determine the expression of SCF/c-kit protein. Results Compared with the control group, the quantity of ICCs in the experimental group increased significantly (P＜0.05), and the protein expression of SCF and c-kit increased significantly (P＜0.05). Conclusions ICCs increase significantly in the bladder with recurrent cystitis.

Key words: over active bladder, interstitial cells of Cajal, stem cell factor(SCF), c-kit receptor tyrosine kinase