AIM:The pathophysiology underlying gastrointestinalcomplications of long-standing diabetes is poorly understood.Recent evidence suggests an important role of intestitialcells of cajal in controlling gastrointestinal motility.The aimof this study was to clarify the changes of ultrastructuralcharacteristics of interstitial cells of cajal in stomach ofdiabetic gastro-electric dysrhythmic rats.METHODS:Rats were randomly divided into diabetic groupand control group,the model of diabetic rats was establishedby peritoneally injection of streptozotocin.Electrogastrogramswere recorded and intestitial cells of cajal in antrum wereobserved by electrictelescopy after diabetic model rat wasestablished for 3 mo.RESULTS:In the rats of diabetic group,the gastro-electricdysrhythmia was increased compared with control group,the abnormal rhythm index and the cofficient of variationof slow wave frequency were significantly higher than thoseof normal rats.The number of the gap junctions of interstitialcells of cajal in antrum of diabetic rats was significantlydecreased,and the remaining structures were damaged.The organelles were also damaged,and vacuoles wereformed.CONCLUSION:It is possible that changes in ultrastructuralcharacteristics of interstitial cells of cajal in stomach areone of the mechanisms underlying gastro-electric dysrhythmin diabetic rats. AIM: The pathophysiology of gastrointestinal complications of long-standing diabetes is poorly understood. Reciprocity suggests an important role of intestitial cells of cajal in controlling gastrointestinal motility. The aim of this study was to clarify the changes of ultrastructural characteristics of interstitial cells of cajal in stomach of diabetic kidney -electric dysrhythmic rats. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into diabetic group and control group, the model of diabetic rats was established by peritoneally injected of streptozotocin. Electrogastrograms were recorded and intestitial cells of cajal in antrum wereobserved by electrictelescopy after diabetic model rat wasestablished for 3 mo. RESULTS: In the rats of diabetic group, the gastro-electricdysrhythmia was increased compared with control group, the abnormal rhythm index and the cofficient of variationof slow wave frequency were significantly higher than those of normal rats. The number of the gap junctions of interstitial cells s of cajal in antrum of diabetic rats was significantly reduced, and the remaining structures were damaged. or ornelles were also damaged, and vacuoles wereformed. CONCLUSION: It is possible that changes in ultrastructural characteristics of interstitial cells of cajal in stomach areone of the mechanisms underlying gastro gastro -electric dysrhythmin diabetic rats.