ObjectiveTo summarize the current research progress on the changes of enteric glial cells (EGCs) in intestinal motility disorders and its possible molecular mechanisms in regulating intestinal motility.MethodThe literatures related to the EGCs and intestinal dysmotility were collected and analyzed.ResultsThe EGCs were involved in the occurrence and development of intestinal motility disorders, and there were abnormalities in the quantity, receptor, and phenotype in the different dysmotility diseases such as the postoperative ileus, Hirschsprung disease, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes and so on. It could sense the neuronal signals and communicate with the enteric neurons via Ca2+ response and connexin-43 to affect the intestinal motility.ConclusionStudy of role and mechanism of EGCs in intestinal motor dysfunction is helpful to discovery new targets for treatment of these diseases.
