Significance of dynamic changes in gastric smooth muscle cell apoptosis, PI3K-AKT-mTOR and AMPK-mTOR signaling in a rat model of diabetic gastroparesis.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the significance of cell apoptosis, the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (AKT)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, and the 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)­mTOR pathways in the process of diabetic gastroparesis. Changes in gastric smooth muscle cells of diabetic rats with induced gastroparesis were examined. The diabetic rat model was established by dividing animals into a normal control group and diabetic model groups examined at 2, 4 and 6 weeks. Diabetic gastroparesis was evaluated by examining the rates of gastric residual pigment, whereas flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis of gastric smooth muscle cells. The expression levels of PI3K and phosphorylated (p­) AKT, AMPK, mTOR, tuberous sclerosis complex 2, p70 ribosomal S6 kinase, and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4­binding protein 1 were determined in gastric muscles using western blot analysis. Diabetic gastroparesis was confirmed in models at 6 weeks. The apoptosis of gastric smooth muscle cells gradually increased in all diabetic groups, and significant changes were observed in key proteins involved in PI3K­AKT­mTOR and AMPK­mTOR signaling. The results indicated that apoptosis was important in the occurrence of diabetic gastroparesis, and the PI3K­AKT­mTOR and AMPK­mTOR pathways were activated during the apoptotic processes, but were incapable of regulating apoptosis.