Quantitative light and electron microscopical studies of the effect of vagotomy on parietal cells in rats.

Abstract

As early as 3 days after truncal vagotomy, a decrease in the number of parietal cells per gland and the length of fundic glands of the stomach was observed in young Wistar rats. A decrease in the size of cells and the number of mitochondria per cell was also evident in the remaining parietal cells. These atrophic changes lasted nearly one month after the operation. A decrease in the cellular size and mitochondrial number in parietal cells was noted again in the rats sacrificed 12 months after the operation. Since the similar changes were also seen in the age-matched controls, the changes in older rats were interpreted as an aging phenomenon.

Digestive System

“…355,356 Studies in the rat have shown that diffuse atrophy of the gastric glands characterized by a decrease in the number and size of parietal, chief and mucous cells occurs transiently following truncal vagotomy but histological features return to normal by about one month after surgery. 357 By contrast, unilateral vagotomy in the rat leads to marked and persistent atrophy of the oxyntic zone on the denervated side. This is characterized histologically by reduced height of the mucosa and reduced numbers and staining intensity of argyrophil cells.…”