G-Cell Counts in Antral Endoscopic Biopsies by Immunofluorescence

Abstract

Antral gastrin-producing cell (G cells) were counted by an immunofluorescence technique in the antral biopsies obtained at endoscopy from 67 subjects; they included patients with duodenal ulcer, gastritis, and individuals with a normal gastric mucosa. The G-cell count was significantly lower (P < 0.01) in patients with duodenal ulcer (142 G cells per mm²) in comparison to normal subjects (327 G cells per mm²). No statistically significant correlation was found between the G-cell number and any of the other parameters tested (pentagastrin test, basal serum gastrin and its response to a standard meal).

Key-words:

• Duodenal ulcer
• gastrin-producing cells
• immunofluorescence
• serum gastrin