[Mucopolysaccharides of the gastric mucosa in rats after ethanol-induced injury]

Abstract

The experiment was performed in 34 Buffalo rats. After laparotomy 2 ml of 96% ethanol was injected into the stomach for 90 sec. At 15 min, 1 hour, 24 hours and 96 hours mucopolysaccharides of the mucosa of bottom parts of the stomach were analysed histochemically. A direct reaction to concentrated alcohol was massive exfoliation and disintegration of the surface epithelium or abrupt release of the mucus from the superficial epithelial cells, pits and neck leading to a formation of a thick muco-cellular layer of gel precipitating reepithelization. Apart from an increase in the amount of surface mucus significant changes in its composition were found. They included an increase in the amount of sulfo- and sialomucins affecting the level of mucous viscosity. It was also shown that AB+ mucous cells of the neck were, a good marker of proliferative zone; state of the latter affects markedly the rate of regeneration of the damaged gastric mucosa.