Portal hypertension and gastric mucosal injury in rats. Effects of alcohol

The present study was performed primarily in order to determine whether gastric mucosa of rats with portal hypertension has different functional and histologic features when compared with controls, and second to quantitate and compare morphologic and functional changes after exposure to topical ethanol. Portal hypertension was produced by staged portal venous occlusion, and in these animals portal pressure was 32 +/- 2 cm saline compared with 18 +/- 2 cm in sham-operated controls (p less than 0.005). Before ethanol, portal hypertensive rats compared with controls had significantly higher luminal pH (2.9 +/- 0.3 vs. 1.9 +/- 0.1), increased H+ back-diffusion (loss of 138 +/- 10 vs. 57 +/- 16 microEq H+/h), lower potential difference (8 +/- 1 mV lower than controls), and extensive submucosal edema (submucosal thickness 325 +/- 25 vs. 138 +/- 18 micrometers). After 3 h of exposure to 2 ml intragastric absolute ethanol, the area of macroscopic hemorrhagic mucosal injury was significantly greater in portal hypertensive rats than in controls (34.0 +/- 8.7% vs. 7.6 +/- 2.1%), confirmed histologically by the greater number of deep hemorrhagic necrotic lesions and extent of mucosal length involved. Furthermore, after ethanol, portal hypertensive rats compared with controls had significantly increased gastric volume (14.4 +/- 1.5 vs. 8.3 +/- 0.6 ml), Na+ (86.6 +/- 8.0 vs. 64.6 +/- 8.0 mEq/L), pH (7.1 +/- 0.3 vs. 4.3 +/- 0.4), H+ back-diffusion (loss of 309 +/- 41 vs. 207 +/- 33 microEq H+/h), and protein and blood loss (100% increases over controls). These results indicate that gastric mucosa of portal hypertensive rats has distinctive functional and histologic abnormalities that can explain its increased susceptibility to erosive injury after ethanol. This study quantitatively confirms in an animal model the clinical observations that portal hypertension may predispose to severe gastric mucosal injury.

Ultrastructure of colonic endocrine cells in ulcerative colitis

Endoscopic specimens of colonic mucosa from 40 ulcerative colitis patients were investigated. Specimens were taken from both sexes patients, aged 16-74 (means = 41 years). An average number of 5 biopsies was examined in each patient taken 10, 20, 40, 50 and 80 cm from rectum. Material was divided into 3 groups: 1. histologically confirmed ulcerative colitis (CU), 2. clinical diagnosis of CU in remission-histologically non specific inflammation, 3. functional disorders of the large bowel-histologically normal colonic mucosa. The latter was a control group. Biopsies were fixed in glutaraldehyde, postfixed in osmium tetroxide. Ultrastructural examination was performed on Epon sections in Tesla BS-500 electron microscope operating at 60 kV. A Lausanne classification of endocrine cells was used in the study. The most common were EC cells, followed by PP, D1 and L respectively. In the first group of patients damaged endocrine cells were more commonly observed. These destructive changes were: vacuolisation of cytoplasm, degranulation and discharge of endocrine granules into intercellular space and degradation of the entire cells.

Arachidonic acid protection of rat gastric mucosa against ethanol injury

AA, an essential dietary fatty acid, is a precursor for synthesis of prostaglandins. The ability of prostaglandins to protect the gastric mucosa against ethanol injury prompted us to investigate the possibility of AA providing similar protection in the rat. AA or its solubilizer were instilled intragastrically 60 min prior to absolute ethanol. The gastric lining was examined at 3 and 15 hr after the administration of ethanol. The extent of damage was assessed both macroscopically and histologically. AA administration 30 or 60 min prior to ethanol ingestion protected the gastric mucosa against macroscopic and histological damage for 3 to 15 hr. The intragastric concentration of prostaglandin E2 was 5,000 to 13,000 times higher in the animals pretreated with AA than in the controls. The protective action of AA was markedly diminished by indomethacin pretreatment. Intrajejunal administration of AA did not protect the gastric mucosa. These experiments demonstrate that a dietary constitutent--arachidonic acid--can protect the gastric mucosa against alcohol injury by inducing the synthesis of prostaglandins by the gastric mucosa.

Effect of pentagastrin on parietal cell ultrastructure in glucagon-pretreated subjects

The effect on parietal cells of glucagon given prior to pentagastrin is unknown. Fifteen healthy volunteers were studied during constant intravenous infusion of pentagastrin (2 micrograms/kg body weight/hr) and during pentagastrin infusion initiated 20 min after intravenous injection of 2 mg glucagon. Three types of studies were performed: Gastric mucosal biopsies were obtained with a Quinton instrument. Electron micrographs of 320 parietal cells were analyzed by the Loud quantitative method, and intragastric pH (pH probe), or gastric potential difference (PD) were recorded continuously. Pentagastrin infusion produced a significant increase in canalicular and simultaneous reduction of tubulovesicular membrane area of parietal cells. Glucagon pretreatment did not inhibit canalicular and tubulovesicular membrane reaction to pentagastrin; unexpectedly this reaction was significantly greater when compared to that after pentagastrin alone. Initiation of pentagastrin infusion in subjects pretreated with glucagon produced a greater absolute value drop in gastric PD (23 +/- 2 mV) and an earlier drop in intragastric pH (3 min) than in subjects receiving pentagastrin infusion alone (13 +/- 1 mV and 10 min, respectively). In conclusion, at the doses studied, glucagon pretreatment increases parietal cell canalicular reaction to pentagastrin.

Effect of secretin on gastric parietal cell ultrastructure in man

The effect of secretin on parietal cell ultrastructure and on gastric mucosal potential difference have not been reported. In five healthy subjects, we studied the effect of intravenous injection of 2 clinical units per kg. of secretin on parietal cell canalicular and tubulovesicular membrane areas. In addition, we studied the effect of secretin on serum secretin levels and gastric mucosal potential difference. Biopsies of gastric mucosa for light and electron microscopy were obtained prior to and 15 and 30 minutes after secretin injection. Electron micrographs of 140 parietal cells were analyzed by the Loud quantitative method. Fifteen minutes following secretin administration, parietal cell canalicular membrane area decreased from a basal value of 4.37 +/- 0.43 per cent to 3.17 +/- 0.28 per cent (p less than 0.01). The number and length of microvilli also significantly decreased. Tubulovesicular membrane area increased from 9.32 +/- 0.7 per cent to 9.74 +/- 0.6 per cent (p greater than 0.05). The effect of secretin on canalicular membrane area was short lived, with recovery to nearly basal level at 30 minutes. Nuclear membrane area did not change at 15 and 30 minutes after secretin. After injection, serum secretin increased from a mean basal value of 15 to 2800 pg. per ml. at 15 minutes, falling to 130 pg. per ml. at 30 minutes. Gastric potential difference following secretin injection rose from -43 +/- 2 mv. to -54 +/- 2 mv. (p less than 0.01) within 10 minutes. In conclusion, a pharmacologic dose of secretin alters gastric parietal cell ultrastructure and causes significant elevation of gastric mucosal potential difference.

Prostaglandin protection of carbon tetrachloride-induced liver cell necrosis in the rat

We studied whether 16,16--dimethyl prostaglandin E2 (dmPGE2) may prevent acute liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in the rat. One hundred thirty male rats were divided into the following groups: (1) controls, (2) rats given CCl4 6670 mg/kg body wt subcutaneously, (3) rats pretreated with 5 micrograms/kg dmPGE2 given subcutaneously 30 min before, and 8 and 24 h after CCl4 administration, and (4) animals given dmPGE2 only as in group 3. Liver damage was assessed by biochemical studies (SGPT, serum alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin) and by histology. In rats receiving CCl4 alone, SGPT activities were significantly elevated to 1024 +/- 82 U/L, 1270 +/- 120 U/L, 386 +/- 48 U/L and 208 +/- 20 U/L at 24, 48, 96, and 120 h after CCl4 respectively. In animals pretreated with dmPGE2 before CCl4, SGPT activities were 201 +/- 24 U/L, 55 +/- 4.6 U/L, 28 +/- 4 U/L, and 24 +/- 4 U/L at 24, 48, 96, and 120 h after CCl4, respectively (p less than 0.01, versus animals receiving CCl4 only). Histologically, livers of rats treated with CCl4 alone showed severe centrilobular necrosis at 24 and 48 h. Livers of animals pretreated with dmPGE2 before CCl4 did not show necrosis. It is concluded that dmPGE2 protects the liver against cell necrosis induced by CCl4 in the rat.

Effect of glucagon on human gastric mucosa: histochemical studies

We studied the effects of glucagon (2 mg intravenously) on the histochemical localization and staining intensity of 10 enzymes in human gastric mucosa. Glucagon caused a significant increase in the histochemical activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the undifferentiated neck cells and mucous cells of the foveolae and of ATPase activity in and around the mucosal capillary walls. Glucagon also stimulated mucus secretion from the surface epithelial cells. These changes were observed 15 and 30 min after glucagon in the oxyntic, but no pyloric mucosa. they indicate that glucagon, in addition to its effect on parietal cells, also affects other structures in human gastric mucosa.

Ethanol induced duodenal lesions in man. Protective effect of prostaglandin

This study aimed: 1. to investigate quantitatively mucosal changes in the human duodenum after ethanol instillation, 2. to determine the effect of 16,16 dimethyl prostaglandin E2 (dmPGE2) pretreatment on these changes. In 11 healthy subjects were instilled into the postbulbar duodenum solutions of normal saline or dmPGE2 and 15 minutes later 20 ml 40% ethanol. Mucosal changes were evaluated endoscopically and histologically. Thirty minutes after ethanol and saline, hemorrhagic changes involved the entire mucosa (endoscopic lesion index: 4.8 +/- 0.2) and all histological specimens showed erosions. Pretreatment with dmPGE2 significantly prevented ethanol-induced mucosal changes (endoscopic lesion index: 2.17 +/- 0.17 p less than 0.01) and mucosal biopsies did not show erosions outside endoscopically abnormal areas. In conclusion, direct instillation of ethanol induced consistent damage to duodenal mucosa in man. This damage was significantly reduced by dmPGE2 pretreatment.

Fine-morphology of chief cells in human gastric mucosa after secretin

Quantitative ultrastructural studies of human gastric mucosal chief cells during secretory stimulation have not been reported previously. In five healthy subjects we studied the effect of intravenous administration of 2 CU/kg of GIH secretin on gastric chief-cell ultrastructure. Gastric biopsies for quantitative ultrastructural analysis were obtained before and 15 and 30 min after secretin administration. Electron micrographs of 150 chief cells were analyzed by the Loud quantitative method. After secretin administration the percentage area occupied by zymogen granules decreased significantly at 15 and 30 min. At corresponding times membrane profile concentration (rough endoplasmic reticulum) increased significantly over basal values. This study provides morphological evidence of increased activity of chief cells after secretin administration.

Effect of human gastrin infusion on gastric potential difference in man

Human gastrin I heptadecapeptide, infused intravenously to healthy volunteers in a dose of 0.5 micrograms/kg/hr, caused a prompt, significant reduction in gastric potential difference (decrease of mucosal negativity), with the peak change at 6 min. This decline in potential difference occurred at a time when the serum gastrin level was between 24 and 83 pg/ml; at the same time, scanning electron microscopic examination of fractographs of parietal cells demonstrated marked increase in canalicular membrane area. This study shows that the decrease in potential difference after gastrin occurs with serum gastrin levels which are in the physiologic range.

The induction of gastric mucosal tolerance to alcohol by chronic administration

Acute alcohol intake produces marked damage to gastric mucosa. Whether gastric mucosa develops tolerance to repeated alcohol administration is unknown. To test this, we compared the effects of acute and chronic alcohol administration in male rats. Thirty-one Sprague-Dawley rats maintained on Chow diet received the following: group A, water for 4 weeks; group B, 50% EtOH for 4 weeks; group C, water for 4 weeks, then 8 hr prior to sacrifice 50% EtOH; group D, 50% EtOH for 4 weeks, then alcohol 8 hr prior to sacrifice. Control animals did not show macroscopic or microscopic changes in fundic or pyloric mucosa. The percentage fundic mucosa showing lesions (49%) in the acute EtOH group (group C) was significantly greater than in control (0%), chronic EtOH group (group B, 8%), and chronic plus acute EtOH (group D, 14%). Pyloric lesions were not significantly diferent between treatment groups C (9%), B (4%), and D (8%). Histologic changes in group C (acute alcohol) consisted of superficial erosions accompanied by severe hemorrhagic changes in the upper part of the gastric mucosa. In group B (chronic alcohol) and group D (chronic + acute alcohol) changes consisted of small superficial erosions without hemorrhagic changes. Our study shows that damage in rat gastrc fundic mucosa following acute intragastric administration of EtOH is significantly less in rats receiving EtOH chronically than in rats receiving only acute EtOH. We conclude that rat gastric mucosa is capable of developing tolerance to repeated administration of 50% alcohol.

Cytoprotective effect of 16, 16' dimethyl prostaglandin E2 and some drugs on an acute galactosamine induced liver damage in rat

Present experiment was aimed to study whether 16, 16' dimethylprostaglandin E2 (dmPGE2), Hepatofalk (HF), or Orotofalk (OF) may prevent an acute liver damage induced in rats with D-galactosamine (GalN). Fifty male rats were divided into 5 groups: 1. controls, 2. rats receiving GalN 750 mg/kg b. w. intraperitoneally, 3. animals pretreated with 5 microgram/kg dmPGE2 given subcutaneously 24 hours prior to, 30 min prior to and 6 hours after GalN. Rats of group 4 received HF 0,8 ml/kg intramuscularly and group 5 OF 0,3 caps/kg intragastrically 24 hours prior to, 30 min prior to and 6 hours after GalN. Animals were sacrificed 24 hours after GalN injection. Histological, histochemical and ultrastructural studies of the liver were performed. In rats receiving GalN alone (group 2) typical severe liver damage consisting of acidophilic necrosis of hepatocytes, periportal and intralobular inflammatory infiltration, hypertrophy and hyperplasia of Browicz-Kupffer cells has been observed. Histochemical investigations showed in this group fatty degeneration and a decrease in glycogen content in hepatocytes, irregular distribution of lysosomes, numerous cytolysosomes and uneven decrease in lysosomal enzymes activity (acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase). Ultrastructural studies revealed depletion in glycogen, fat droplets, hypertrophy of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and numerous autophagic vacuoles. Some of these vacuoles or residual bodies were dropping out into intercellular space. Focal accumulation of lamellar cytomembranes as well as condensation of heterochromatin in nuclei were also observed. Pretreatment of animals with dmPGE2 (group 3), HF (group 4) or OF (group 5) prior to GalN prevented liver cell necrosis. Histological, histochemical and ultrastructural picture of the liver was in these groups close to normal. Only very slight hypertrophy and hyperplasia of Browicz-Kupffer cells, was seen as well as depletion of glycogen and hypertrophy of smooth endoplasmic reticulum in hepatocytes. We conclude dmPGE2, HF and OF offered impressive cytoprotection against GalN induced liver damage in rat.

Quantitative ultrastructural analysis of the human parietal cell during acid inhibition and increase of gastric potential difference by glucagon

Glucagon inhibits gastric acid secretion and increases the negativity of gastric mucosal potential difference (PD) in man. To test the hypothesis that the increased negativity of PD after glucagon in man could be due to decreased parietal cell canalicular membrane area, a quantitative ultrastructural analysis was carried out. Four healthy volunteers with normal gastric mucosa were submitted to biopsy before and 20 minutes after intravenous injection of 2 mg glucagon (G). This time corresponded with the maximal change in PD and a decrease in gastric acid secretion. Canalicular and tubulovesicular membrane area of 80 parietal cells (40 cells before glucagon and 40 cells after glucagon) were quantified by the Loud morphometric method. After glucagon, the oxyntic cell canalicular membrane area was reduced by one-fourth (P less than 0.05), while tubulovesicular membrane area showed an increase (P less than 0.05) at the same time. The decrease in the area of parietal cell canalicular membrane caused by glucagon may in part be responsible for increased negativity of the gastric PD caused by this hormone.

Effect of glucagon and pentagastrin on gastric mucosal potential difference in man

Glucagon given as an intravenous injection of 2 mg (0.57 mmol) or as constant intravenous infusion of 1.64 microgram/kg/h (0.47 nmol/kg/h) significantly increased gastric mucosal potential difference (PD) in man. Pentagastrin infusion of 2 microgram/kg/h (2.8 nmol/kg/h) dramatically reduced gastric PD in man. The effect of each of these hormones on PD was reversed by the administration of the other. Changes in PD induced by one hormone were not associated with reductions in blood levels of the other. There was an approximate correlation between changes in PD and pH of gastric aspirates, however, the patterns of PD and pH changes were at times dissimilar. This study indicates that administration of gastrointestinal hormones significantly alters gastric mucosal PD in man.

Phenazone metabolism during perfusion of isolated guinea pig liver

After 3 hr of perfusion of isolated guinea pig liver with a medium containing 407 ng/ml of phenazone, the drug concentration in the bile was 1.5 times higher than the initial concentration in the perfusion fluid. This indicates that in addition to phenazone metabolism, liver eliminates the drug by active releasing it to the bile. The active release is responsible for depression of phenazone concentration during the perfusion in approx. 6%. The remaining loss of phenazone is due to its hepatic metabolism.