Die Zahl argentaffiner Zellen des menschlichen Verdauungstraktes unter normalen und pathologischen Bedingungen

Variation in the argyrophil cell population of the rectum in ulcerative colitis and adenocarcinoma

Longstanding ulcerative colitis predisposes to carcinoma of the colon. Argyrophil cell hyperplasia has been observed in association with dysplasia and neoplasia in ulcerative colitis. As the argyrophil cell population includes those cells producing enterglucagon, a hormone thought to stimulate mucosal proliferation, this study was designed to determine whether there was any consistent variation in the argyrophil cell population in longstanding ulcerative colitis. Argyrophil cells were demonstrated by the Grimelius method of silver impregnation in sections of non-tumour bearing mucosa from the rectosigmoid colon of normal bowel, ulcerative colitis with and without tumour, and mucosa adjacent to, and distant from, carcinoma arising in otherwise normal bowel. Cell numbers were expressed as ratios of argyrophil cells per crypt, per mm of epithelium, and per mm of underlying muscularis mucosae. There was marked individual variation within all groups in all parameters. Between groups, the only significant difference was an increase in argyrophil cells per crypt in ulcerative colitis. The significance of this finding is discussed.

Enteroendocrine cell hyperplasia, carcinoid tumours and adenocarcinoma in long-standing ulcerative colitis

Chronic ulcerative colitis may be accompanied by a variety of epithelial changes, including loss of goblet cells, Paneth cell metaplasia, villous metaplasia, and dysplasia. Total colitis is also accompanied by an increased incidence of adenocarcinoma. All these changes are assumed to be secondary to repeated mucosal damage, but how they develop is unknown. Little attention has been paid to the enteroendocrine cell population, despite the postulated role of these cells as producers of trophic hormones. We describe two patients with long-standing ulcerative colitis who developed both adenocarcinoma and carcinoid tumours. In both, there were increased numbers of enteroendocrine cells in the uninvolved colonic mucosa. We suggest that an increased enteroendocrine cell mass may be part of a non-specific reaction to chronic mucosal injury, and by producing an elevated level of trophic hormones may act as a promoter in the development of neoplasia.