THAIS MARTINS RODRIGUES

Ms. THAIS MARTINS RODRIGUES

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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28 September 2024 in Cells
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
GGGabriela Mandú Gimenes
Gabriela Mandú Gimenes
JPJoice Naiara Bertaglia Pereira
Joice Naiara Bertaglia Pereira
ESEliane da Silva
Eliane da Silva
ASAlef Aragão Carneiro dos Santos
Alef Aragão Carneiro dos Santos
TRTHAIS MARTINS RODRIGUES
THAIS MARTINS RODRIGUES
RCRui Curi
Rui Curi
Diabetes mellitus is associated with changes in intestinal morphology and the enteric nervous system. We previously reported constipation in Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats, a non-obese model for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Aim: The morpho-quantitative analysis of myenteric plexus neurons in the small and large intestines of 120-day-old male GK rats was investigated. Methods: The diabetes was confirmed by high fasting blood glucose levels. The myenteric plexus was evaluated through wholemount immunofluorescence. The morpho-quantitative analyses included evaluating neuronal density (neurons per ganglion) of the total neuronal population, the cholinergic and nitrergic subpopulations, and enteric glial cells per ganglion. The cell body area of 100 neurons per segment per animal was measured. Results: The total neurons and nitrergic subpopulation were unaltered in the GK rats’ small and large intestines. The cholinergic subpopulation exhibited decreased density in the three segments of the small intestine and an increased number in the proximal colon of the GK rats. The number of enteric glial cells increased in the ileum of the GK rats, which could indicate enteric gliosis caused by the intestinal inflammatory state. The area of the cell body was increased in the total neuronal population of the jejunum and ileum of the GK rats. Frequency histograms of the cell body area distribution revealed the contribution of cholinergic neurons to larger areas in the jejunum and nitrergic neurons in the ileum. Conclusion: The constipation previously reported in GK rats might be explained by the decrease in the density of cholinergic neurons in the small intestine of this animal model.