Mucin-producing cells and endocrine cells of gallbladder epithelium in patients with uncomplicated cholelithiasis

Hepatogastroenterology. 1991 Apr;38(2):149-53.

Abstract

In this study we have investigated various morphofunctional features of gallbladder mucosa in patients with uncomplicated cholelithiasis. The histological changes, endocrine cell types and their distribution, and mucin-producing cells were characterized by immunocytochemistry and mucin histochemistry; moreover, we attempted to correlate these findings to the number and size of gallbladder stones and the type of bacteria present in the bile. Our results indicate that, despite similar clinical parameters, a wide range of histological changes can occur in the gallbladder mucosa of these patients. Moreover, the presence of certain endocrine and mucin-producing cell types in so-called "pyloric metaplasia" led us to hypothesize that this finding may be a trivial event in the gallbladder epithelium.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cholelithiasis / pathology*
  • Epithelium / pathology
  • Female
  • Gallbladder / metabolism
  • Gallbladder / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Middle Aged
  • Mucins / biosynthesis*
  • Mucous Membrane / pathology
  • Mucus / metabolism

Substances

  • Mucins