Distribution of serotonin-immunoreactive enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal tract of the least shrew (Cryptotis parva) / Distribución de las células enterocromafines serotonina-inmunorreactiva del tracto gastrointestinal de la musaraña enana (Cryptotis parva)

Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter in the central (CNS) and peripheral (PNS) nervous systems. It is involved in a variety of physiological processes both in the gut and in the CNS. The present study examined the distribution of serotonin containing enterochromaffin cells in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of a vomit competent species, the least shrew. These cells were easily recognized by their globular granules stained with the H&E and serotonin immune-positive stain. The immunoreactive enterochromaffin cells (IERCs) were mainly confined to the basal portion of the glandular epithelium and were distributed throughout the shrew stomach, small and large intestine. None was found to be associated with the mucosal epithelial lining. Moreover, their distribution and count varied in different regions of the GIT suggesting specific functions for these regions. The highest concentration of IERCs was found in the colon followed by the Jejunum. Appreciable numbers of IERCs were found in the stomach especially at the esophageo-gastric junction. The gastric location of the IERCs was mainly in the basal portion of the gland. However, some IERCs were associated with the parietal cells of the stomach. Two types of IERCs were observed: One with globular secretory granules in their apical portion of the cytoplasm which were located within the glandular epithelial cells facing the glandular lumen which release their secretions into the lumen; and the second were basally located, facing the lamina propria of the mucosa. Their secretory granules were not distinct in shape, and are most probably paracrine in their mode of secretions...

La serotonina es un importante neurotransmisor del sistema nervioso central (SNC) y periférico (SNP). Está implicado en una variedad de procesos fisiológicos, tanto en el intestino y el SNC. El presente estudio examinó la distribución de la serotonina contenida en las células enterocromafines del tracto gastrointestinal (TGI) de una especie competente al vómito, la musaraña enana. Estas células se reconocen fácilmente por sus gránulos globulares teñidas con H-E y la inmuno-tinción positiva para serotonina. Las células enterocromafines inmunorreactivas (CEI) se limitan principalmente a la parte basal del epitelio glandular y se distribuyeron por todo el estómago, intestino delgado e intestino grueso de la musaraña. Ninguna célula se encontró asociada al revestimiento epitelial mucoso. Además, su distribución y el recuento varió en diferentes regiones del TGI sugiriendo funciones específicas de estas regiones. La mayor concentración de CEI se encuentran en el colon seguido por el yeyuno. Números apreciables de CEI se encontraron en el estómago, especialmente en la unión esofago-gástrica. La ubicación de las CEI gástricas fue principalmente en la porción basal de la glándula. Sin embargo, algunas CEI se asociaron con las células parietales del estómago. Dos tipos de CEI se observaron, una con gránulos secretores globulares en su porción apical del citoplasma que se encuentra dentro de las células epiteliales glandulares que enfrenta el lumen glandular que liberan sus secreciones en el lumen, y el segundo se encuentra basalmente, frente a la lámina propia de la mucosa. Sus gránulos secretores no fueron diferentes en forma, y probablemente son más paracrinas en su modo de secreción...

study on the effect of Myrtus communis and Olibanum on Giardia lamblia infection in Egypt

Giardia lamblia is one of the most common protozoal infections in humans. Although metronidazole [MTZ] is the drug of choice for treatment of giardiasis, yet its chemical composition poses major threats. The search for new alternative therapeutic approaches for this parasitic disease in replacement of MTZ. The effect of Myrtus Communis [MC; called Aas plant in Arabic] and Olibanum [OL; called Leban in Arabic] on G. lamblia were studied. Extracts of MC [methyl alcohol, petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts] amid ethanol extract of OL were used. In vitro culture of G. lamblia trophozoites on TYI-S-33 medium was done, followed by inoculation of the plants' extracts in three different concentrations. This was evaluated by trophiozoite multiplication, adherence assay and electron microscopic study. The in viva effect was evaluated by histopathological study of the duodenum of experimentally infected mice after treatment by each herb. All plant extracts affected G. lamblia trophozoites in a manner dependent on concentration and time of exposure. In low concentration, both herbs significantly decreased the in vitro adherence of tropliozoites when compared to infection control group, while there was no statistical difference when compared to MTZ control group. Extensive ultrastructural changes of Giardia trophozoites were evident after 48 hours exposure to each medical herb. Histopathological examination of duodenum of G. lamblia infected mice showed epithelial microvillus abnormalities, which improved after administration of MC and OL extracts. Results confirm the antiparasitic effect of MC and OL on G. lamblia as an alternative to MTZ, to overcome its resistance and hazards

impact of barley on monosodium glutamate induced changes in duodenal villi of young mice light and electron microscopic study

Diet is an important factor in the regulation of body physiological activities especially at young ages and its maintenance in later life. Barely as high fibre diet, affects the functions of the gastrointestinal tract. In the present work, 40 young mice were used to investigate the effect of barley on the intestinal changes that might occur after monosodium glutamate [MSG] induced obesity-despite the absence of overeating. Animals were divided into 4 groups each of 10 mice, the first group served as control, fed on ordinary balanced diet and received 0.5 ml of distilled water for 21 days. The second group was fed on ground barley ad libitum for 21 days. The third group received MSG in daily oral dose of 2 mg/g body weight for 21 days. The fourth group was fed on ground barley ad libitum simultaneously with the same daily dose of MSG as in group three for the same period. Light and electron microscopic investigation of the group of animals that received MSG revealed localized loss of microvillus border and vacuolation of some enterocytes while other cells showed apparent hyperplasia. The core of the villi exhibited edema and cellular infilteration. In addition, the mitochondria revealed marked loss of cristae. Scanning electron microscopic examination [SEM] showed deformed villi in some areas while other villi exhibited sloughing of their tips. On the contrary, in animals treated with MSG simultaneously with barley, the villi revealed structure almost similar to that of the villi of control group. Consequently, based on these results, it is possible to suggest that dietary barley may have a significant importance in protection against MSG-induced perturbation in duodenal villi

The gut at war: the consequences of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli infection as a factor of diarrhea and malnutrition

Diarrheal disease is still the most prevalent and important public health problem in developing countries, despite advances in knowledge, understanding, and management that have occurred over recent years. Diarrhea is the leading cause of death in children under 5 years of age. The impact of diarrheal diseases is more severe in the earliest periods of life, when taking into account both the numbers of episodes per year and hospital admission rates. This narrative review focuses on one of the major driving forces that attack the host, namely the enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and the consequences that generate malnutrition in an early phase of life. EPEC serotypes form dense microcolonies on the surface of tissue-culture cells in a pattern known as localized adherence (LA). When EPEC strains adhere to epithelial cells in vitro or in vivo they cause characteristic changes known as Attaching and Effacement (A/E) lesions. Surface abnormalities of the small intestinal mucosa shown by scanning electron microscopy in infants with persistent diarrhea, although non-specific, are intense enough to justify the severity of the clinical aspects displayed in a very young phase in life. Decrease in number and height of microvilli, blunting of borders of enterocytes, loss of the glycocalyx, shortening of villi and presence of a mucus pseudomembrane coating the mucosal surface were the abnormalities observed in the majority of patients. These ultrastructural derangements may be due to an association of the enteric enteropathogenic agent that triggers the diarrheic process and the onset of food intolerance responsible for perpetuation of diarrhea. An aggressive therapeutic approach based on appropriate nutritional support, especially the utilization of human milk and/or lactose-free protein hydrolyzate-based formulas and the adequate correction of the fecal losses, is required to allow complete recovery from the damage caused by this devastating enteropathogenic agent

Microscopia eletrônica de varredura do intestino delgado na diarréia persistente / Scanning electronic microscopy of the small intestine in the persistent diarrhea

Foram estudadas 16 crianças menores de um ano, de ambos os sexos, hospitalizadas por diarréia persistente, com o objetivo de analisar a estrutura do epitélio do intestino delgado através das microscopias de luz e eletrônica de varredura. Foram pesquisados enteropatógenos nas fezes e no suco jejunal. Os pacientes foram submetidos a intubaçäo naso-jejunal com cápsula de Watson para obtençäo de secreçäo jejunal e biopsia de intestino delgado. Os fragmentos de duodeno foram fixados em formol 10 por cento para microscopia de luz, em cortes semi-finos, e em soluçäo de Karnowsky modificada para a varredura, sendo pós-incluídos em tetróxido de ósmio 1 por cento, desidratados numa série gradual de etanol, secados pelo método do ponto crítico, com CO2, cobertos com prata, e analisados através de um JEOL JSM 5300 Scanning Microscope. As coproculturas foram positivas em 11 (68,7 por cento) pacientes: EPEC 0111 em quatro; EPEC 0119 em um; EAggEC em cinco; Shigella flexneri em dois e Shigella sonnei em um; infecçöes mistas por EAggEC, associadas a EPEC 0111 foram caracterizadas em dois pacientes. A microscopia de luz, 56,2 por cento dos pacientes apresentaram enteropatia grau II e, em todos, foram observadas alteraçöes epiteliais como esfacelamento de microvilosidades, vacuolizaçäo citoplasmática, corpos muultivesiculares, e infiltrado linfocitário e eosinofílico, este inclusive no córion. A microscopia eletrónica de varredura, observaram-se, em todos os casos, vilosidades e células epiteliais achatadas e disformes, com ausência ou diminuiçäo das microvilosidades, e em metade dos casos a presença de um material mucoso recobrindo parte do epitélio. A aderência firme entre este material e o epitélio deu-lhe o aspecto de uma psedomembrana. Observou-se um infiltrado de linfócitos sobre a superfície apical dos enterócitos de uma espécime, ao lado de gotículas de gordura. Concluiu-se que as alteraçöes encontradas podem ser devidas a uma associaçäo genérica entre o agente enteropatogênico deflagador da diarréia e o surgimento de intolerância alimentar que a perpetua.

Induced immunological Vasculitis in duodenum of albino rats: an ultrastructure study

Two groups of albino rats were included. The control group is formed of nine albino rats, divided into three subgroups: 1] Primed [sensitized] only by intraperitoneal injection of soybean protein emulsion, 2] duodenal tube feeding for 14 days by soybean protein hydrolysate only, and 3] oral feeding by soybean protein-free milk formula. The test group formed of nine albino rats were primed by intraperitoneal injection of soybean protein emulsion and challenged after one week by duodenal tube feeding of soybean protein hydrolysate for 14 days or till diarrhea developed. Results showed that all control groups showed no pathological abnormalities in their duodenum and did not develop diarrhea. The test group showed basically similar changes that varied in severity from mild, moderate to marked. The immunological findings were humoral and cellular immume reaction. Edema of the duodenum erythema and reduction in the size of the villi were seen morphologically. Ultrastructurally, deposition of immune complexes in the basement membrane leading to its thickening and irregularity, adhesion of leukocytes [PNLs, monocytes and lymphocytes] to the injured endothelium, edematous corium and inflammatory cellular infiltrate, increase in the number of lymphocytes going to the surface and congested plugged blood vessels were seen

Gastroduodenal changes in adult patients with uncorrected congenital heart disease

The aim of this study is to assess the morphological changes in the stomach and duodenum in a group of adult patients with congenital heart disease who forfeited corrective cardiac surgery during the early part of their life. The study was carried out at Shaab Teaching Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan. All patients who were 15 years or older and referred with congenital heart disease were evaluated by a detailed medical history, physical examination, chest x-ray. electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram. Cardiac catheterization was carried out in 14 patients to confirm the diagnosis. Patients who presented with epigastric pain were further evaluated by double-contrast barium meal and/or upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Of the 89 cases seen during the period of 1984 to 1990, 23 [26%] had a history of persisting epigastric pain. Upper gastrointestinal abnormalities, proved by endoscopy or barium meal, were seen in 19 [82%] of the 23 patients. Hypertrophic gastritis constituted 61% of the abnormalities; duodenitis, 22%; and duodenal ulcer, 17%. Hypertrophic gastritis was seen in all cases of the cyanosed group and only in 18% of the acyanosed group. This difference is highly significant [P = 0.0001]. Duodenal ulcer occurred exclusively in the cyanosed group. We conclude that hypertrophic gastritis and duodenal ulcer are frequent complications in the long-standing uncorrected cyanotic congenital heart disease. Hypoxia is suggested as a major precipitating factor

Fístula duodeno-cólica benigna: presentación de un caso / Benign duodena-coli fistula: presentation of one case

La inmensa mayoría de las fístulas duodeno-cólicas son de origen maligno, siendo producidas, en su casi totalidad, por carcinoma del colon. Sólo han sido descritos en la literatura mundial menos de 100 casos de fístulas duodeno-cólicas de origen benigno. Se reporta un caso, el cual fue sometido a tratamiento quirúrgico exitoso

Estudio morfo-funcional de la papila menor del duodeno en el hombre / Morfofunctional study of the minor papilla of human duodenum

Los autores estudiaron la arquitectura de la papila menor del duodeno en el hombre, en lo que se refiere a la composición de sus fibras musculares lisas, fibras elásticas y fibras colágenas. Se estudiaron 56 bloques de duodeno-páncreas, de individuos adultos de ambos sexos. Los métodos utilizados fueron: disección macro y estereo-microscópica, examen de cortes histológicos y de cortes pan-organográficos. No se encontró un "esfínter anatómico", pero sí un complejo aparato cuya contracción puede abrir a la papila menor. Las fibras musculares y colágenas presentaron una disposición uni-direccional, explicando la dirección de la expulsión de la secreción pancréatica hacia el duodeno. Las fibras musculares y elásticas constituyen los llamados sistemas mio-elásticos

Estudo do aparelho papilar menor do duodeno humano / Study of minor papilla of the human duodenum

Los autores estudiaron la arquitectura de la papila menor del duodeno, en lo que se refiere al tejido glandular pancreático, situado intraparietalmente en el duodeno, las glándulas mucosas y submucosas que se abren en este nivel, así como la relación de estos elementos con las fibras musculares lisas, fibras colágenas y elásticas, que con su disposición tridimensional, forman el aparato papilar menor. Se efectuaran estudios en 47 bloques de duodeno-páncreas de individuos adultos, de distintas razas y de ambos sexos. Los métodos utilizados fueron: disección macro y estereomicroscópica, examen de cortes histológicos y cortes panorganográficos. Concluyen los autores que la disposición de continuidad del tejido muscular, conjuntivo y glandular forman una unidad morfofuncional

Estudio en microscopio electrónico de barrido de la papila menor del duodeno humano / Electronic microscopy scanning study of the minor papilla of the human duodenum

Los autores efectuaron un estudio en tres bloques duodeno-pancreáticos, de individuos adultos, de ambos sexos, utilizando microscopio electrónico de barrido, de la mucosa de la papila menor del duodeno y región del ducto pancreático accesorio, en el interior de la pared del duodeno. El estudio demostró que la mucosa es más o menos regular, con algunos pliegues finos de trayecto helicoidal. En el lumen de la papila menor y del ducto pancreático accesorio intraparietal se identificaron los conductillos pancreáticos excretorios y además la presencia de conductillos excretorios de las glándulas mucosas y submucosas