The influence of selected pathological states on the somatostatin-like immunoreactive (SOM-LI) endocrine cells in the mucosal layer of the porcine descending colon

This study reports on changes in the number of somatostatin-like immunoreactive (SOM-LI) endocrine cells in the porcine descending colon, caused by chemically driven inflammation, axotomy and proliferative enteropathy (PE). The distribution pattern of SOM-LI endocrine cells has been studied using the routine single-labelling immunofluorescence technique. Semi-quantitative evaluation of the number of the SOM-immunostained endocrine cells within the mucosal layer of the porcine descending colon has been based on counting of all endocrine cells immunoreactive to SOM per unit area (0,1 mm²). Under physiological conditions the number of SOM-LI endocrine cells has been shown to constitute 3,30±0,22. All applied pathological processes resulted in changes in the SOM-like immunoreactivity, which varied in particular processes studied. The number of SOM-LI endocrine cells increased to 6,28±0,31 and 4,43±0,35 during chemically driven inflammation and proliferative enteropathy, respectively, and decreased to 1,17%±0,16 after axotomy. The obtained results suggest that SOM-LI endocrine cells may participate in various pathological states within porcine descending colon and their functions probably depend on the type of pathological factor.(AU)

Ghrelin- and preproghrelin-immunoreactive cells in atrophic body gastritis / Células imunorreativas a grelina e preprogrelina na gastrite atrófica do corpo

INTRODUCTION: Ghrelin is a 28 amino acid peptide mainly secreted by endocrine cells of the gastric mucosa, which is believed to have a modulating effect on cell growth. OBJECTIVE: To assess the presence of ghrelin and its precursor preproghrelin molecule in endocrine hyperplasias associated with atrophic body gastritis (ABG). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Endoscopic biopsies from 54 patients with ABG were processed for immunohistochemistry and specific antibodies against ghrelin, preproghrelin and chromogranin were applied. We assessed the immunoreactive cells in endocrine hyperplasia from the atrophic mucosa and intestinal and pseudo-antral metaplasia areas. RESULTS: There was ghrelin expression in a variable number of hyperplastic endocrine cells from all patients studied. There was a statistically significant difference in the number of hyperplastic nodules with more than 50 percent immunostained cells for chromogranin and ghrelin and for chromogranin and preproghrelin. The mean number of hyperplastic nodules identified by chromogranin was 8.6 per patient. Most nodules were immunoreactive to ghrelin and preproghrelin. The presence of ghrelin and preproghrelin expression was uncommon in glands showing intestinal metaplasia: four (9.5 percent) and nine (21.4 percent) cases, respectively. In contrast, they were relatively frequent in pseudo-antral metaplasia areas: 37 (72.5 percent) and 26 (50.9 percent) cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: Ghrelin- and preproghrelin-immunoreactive cells are frequently present in endocrine hyperplasias associated with ABG. However, further studies are required to determine to what extent these hormones act as modulators of hyperplastic nodular growth and evolution.

INTRODUÇÃO: Grelina é um peptídeo de 28 aminoácidos secretado principalmente pelas células endócrinas da mucosa gástrica, acreditando-se que apresente ação moduladora relacionada com o crescimento celular. OBJETIVO: Estudar a presença de grelina e da molécula precursora preprogrelina na hiperplasia endócrina associada à gastrite atrófica do corpo (GAC). MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Biópsias endoscópicas de 54 pacientes com GAC foram processadas para imuno-histoquímica, e anticorpos específicos contra grelina, preprogrelina e cromogranina foram utilizados. As células imunorreativas foram examinadas na hiperplasia endócrina presente na mucosa atrófica e nas áreas de metaplasia intestinal e pseudoantral. RESULTADOS: Ocorreu expressão de grelina em número variável de células endócrinas hiperplásicas em todos os pacientes estudados. Diferença estatisticamente significativa foi encontrada entre a frequência de nódulos hiperplásicos com mais de 50 por cento de células imunomarcadas por cromogranina e grelina ou por cromogranina e preprogrelina. O número médio de nódulos hiperplásicos por paciente demonstrado pela cromogranina foi de 8,6. A maioria desses nódulos apresentou células imunorreativas para grelina e preprogrelina, respectivamente, 5,1 e 5,6, em média. A presença da expressão imuno-histoquímica de grelina e preprogrelina foi incomum em glândulas exibindo metaplasia intestinal, respectivamente, em quatro (9,5 por cento) e nove (21,4 por cento) casos e foram frequentes nas áreas de metaplasia pseudoantral em, respectivamente, 37 (72,5 por cento) e 26 (50,9 por cento) casos. CONCLUSÃO: Células imunorreativas a grelina e preprogrelina estão presentes na hiperplasia endócrina associada à GAC. Entretanto, mais estudos são necessários para saber até que ponto esses hormônios estão atuando como moduladores do crescimento e a evolução desses nódulos hiperplásicos.