Ultrastructural changes of ICC in gastric antrum.

<p>ICC-IM and ICC-MY were observed to connect closely with nerve fibers (NF) and smooth muscle cells (SMC), with synapse-like structures formed between processes of ICC and nerve fibers in the control (<b>A</b>, <b>F</b>). In the DM group, serious injured ICC, with swollen mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum and fractured branches, were interposed between degenerated NF and incomplete SMC, resulting in wide gaps (<b>B</b>, <b>G</b>). An apoptotic nuclei (*) was observed in the ICC. In the SEA group, swollen ICC was seen with incomplete membrane (<b>C</b>, <b>H</b>). However, in the LEA and HEA group, ICC was organelle-rich and integrated with neighboring NF and SMC (<b>D</b>, <b>E</b>, <b>I</b>, <b>J</b>). ICC-SM were present with polymorphic dense bodies (<b>K–O</b>). Swollen mitochondria with disrupted cristae were found in the DM and SEA group (<b>L</b>, <b>M</b>). Scale bars are as indicated in each panel.