Positive Correlation between Normal Serum Gastrin Concentrations and Antral and Duodenal G Cells

Abstract

It is controversial whether there is a correlation between serum gastrin concentrations and the density of G cells in the antral or duodenal mucosa. In this study, endoscopically obtained antral and duodenal biopsies were stained immunocytochemically for gastrin and the G cells quantitated using an MOP Videoplan computer image analysis system. Studies were performed in 20 patients with acid-peptic disorders (gastric ulcer, n=5; duodenal ulcer, n=10; reflux esophagitis, n=4; and nonulcer dyspepsia, n=1). Correlations between antral and duodenal G cell densities, and basal- and food-stimulated serum gastrin concentrations within the normal range (less than 100 mg/L) – but not in those with elevated gastrin concentrations – support the postulate that alterations in G cell function are important in patients with acid-peptic disorders.

Lack of Effect of H2-Receptor Antagonists and Antacids on the Gastric and Duodenal Gastrin-, Somatostatin- and Serotonin-Producing Cells in Patients with Acid Peptic Disorders

“…Morphometric quantitative studies of these endocrine cells were objectively performed using the Zeiss MOP videoplan computerized image analysis system (Carl Zeiss, Germany). Details of the immunocytochemical and morphometric studies were described elsewhere (15). Statistical analysis: All analyses were based on the square roots of the cell counts.…”