Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Sundler

Publications and source records attributed to F Sundler.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Serum gastrin concentration affects the self replication rate of the enterochromaffin like cells in the rat stomach.

The influence of antrectomy and antrum exclusion on the enterochromaffin like cell kinetics in the gastric mucosa of the rat was studied using a combination of histamine immunocytochemistry and autoradiography after in vivo labelling with tritiated thymidine. In all experimental groups, the enterochromaffin like cells were found to incorporate the DNA precursor, thus indicating an ability to divide. The serum gastrin concentration was raised by antrum exclusion and reduced by antrectomy. After antrum exclusion, the enterochromaffin like cell proliferation rate increased as indicated by a doubling of the labelling index and by the resulting enterochromaffin like cell hyperplasia (after six weeks). After antrectomy, the enterochromaffin like cell labelling index decreased to reach 25% of the control value; at this time the enterochromaffin like cell density had not decreased significantly. The observed correlation between the enterochromaffin like cell labelling indices and the serum gastrin concentration supports the hypothesis that enterochromaffin like cell proliferation is influenced by serum gastrin.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Histamine containing endocrine cells in the human stomach.

Histamine and chromogranin A-immunoreactive cells were studied in the mucosa of the human stomach. Cells reacting to both histamine and chromogranin A-antibodies (histamine containing endocrine cells), were demonstrated by double immunostaining and found to be restricted to the oxyntic mucosa. Histamine containing cells that did not stain with chromogranin A-antibodies were numerous throughout the stomach. Of the histamine immunoreactive cells in the oxyntic gland area 22% reacted with antibodies against chromogranin A. Histamine containing endocrine cells constituted 44% of the total number of endocrine cells in the oxyntic mucosa. These findings suggest that the histamine containing endocrine cells in the human stomach are identical with the so called enterochromaffin like cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Effects of partial resection of acid-secreting mucosa on plasma gastrin and enterochromaffin-like cells in the rat stomach.

Female rats were subjected to various degrees (50, 75, 90 and 100%) of fundectomy, i.e. resection of the acid-producing part of the stomach, to compare the effects of different degrees of reduction of the amount of acid reaching the antrum. Plasma gastrin was monitored for 10 weeks after the operation. Histidine decarboxylase (HDC) activity, histamine concentration and density of enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells in the remaining oxyntic mucosa were determined in the rats subjected to 50 or 75% fundectomy. There was a close correlation between the amount of acid-producing mucosa removed and the plasma gastrin levels, the highest gastrin level being observed in the rats subjected to 100% fundectomy. HDC activity, histamine concentration and ECL cell density seemed to reflect plasma gastrin concentration. These findings indicate that hypergastrinemia induced by surgical removal of acid-producing mucosa in the rat has the same effects on oxyntical mucosal HDC activity, histamine concentration and ECL cell density as hypergastrinemia induced by continuous gastrin infusion or by long-term treatment with effective antisecretagogues.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Self-replication of enterochromaffin-like cells in the mouse stomach.

The renewal mechanisms for enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells, the predominating endocrine cell population in the oxyntic mucosa of the stomach, were investigated in the mouse. The ECL cells were selectively demonstrated by immunostaining using histamine antibodies. Under basal conditions, when observed during the night, ECL cells in mitosis could be seen. This observation proved their ability to divide. Autoradiography after a single pulse and after multiple injections of 3H-thymidine made it possible to study some of their cytokinetic characteristics. The observed replication rate of the labeled ECL cells suggested that self-replication is the main mechanism by which the ECL cell population is renewed. The time interval between two successive divisions of labeled ECL cells was estimated to be around 60 days. Since ECL cells proliferate through mitosis, it may be expected that specific mitogenic stimuli might promote the induction of ECL cell hyperplasia and eventually ECL cell tumors (gastric carcinoids).

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Effect of 20 weeks' ranitidine treatment on plasma gastrin levels and gastric enterochromaffin-like cell density in the rat.

In this study, the effect of ranitidine treatment on the activation and proliferation of rat gastric enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells was investigated. The drug was given in a high dose in the food (1.7-1.8 g/kg/day) for 20 weeks. This dose corresponds to the high dose given in the ranitidine oncogenicity study performed by Glaxo. With this dose regimen ranitidine induced hypergastrinaemia for 10 h of the day. The duration and the extent of the hypergastrinaemia closely followed the occurrence of ranitidine in plasma, strongly suggesting that the hypergastrinaemia was secondary to inhibition of acid secretion. Following 20 weeks treatment with ranitidine, both the relative weight of the stomach and that of the oxyntic mucosa were increased. The oxyntic histamine concentration and ECL-cell density were also increased significantly. These results show that when ranitidine is given in the diet the resulting hypergastrinaemia, which had a duration of 10 h each day, leads to a general increase in the oxyntic mucosal weight and a proliferation and activation of the ECL cells, indicating that sustained hypergastrinaemia is not a necessary requirement for development of ECL-cell hyperplasia.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

The airway epithelial lining in guinea pigs is intact promptly after the mucosal crossing of a large amount of plasma exudate.

In the present study of anaesthetized guinea pigs, we have confirmed by chemical analyses that 10 min after topical mucosal provocation with capsaicin 0.4 nmol of platelet-activating factor 8 nmol plasma macromolecular tracers (FITC-dextran, molecular weight 156 kD, previously injected intravenously) have been significantly exuded into airway tissue and lumen. We have also examined the airway mucosa and the mucosal surface material using fluorescence, light, and electron microscopy. Thus we have demonstrated by histological techniques that promptly after the induction of large exudative responses plasma macromolecules are abundant in the lumen as well as in the lamina propria. Furthermore, the exudate is seen on the surface of a mucosa that has an intact epithelial lining. These observations are evidence in favour of the possibility that plasma exudation into the lumen is a first-line defense mechanism of the normal airway mucosa.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Effects of endogenous and exogenous cholecystokinin and of infusion with the cholecystokinin antagonist L-364,718 on pancreatic and gastrointestinal growth.

Continuous subcutaneous infusion of cholecystokinin (CCK-8; 5 micrograms/kg/h) to rats for 7 weeks raised the plasma CCK concentration almost fivefold and increased the pancreatic weight by about 50% but was without effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Continuous subcutaneous infusion of the CCK antagonist L-364,718 (200 micrograms/kg/h) for 7 weeks reduced the weight of the pancreas by about 30% but was without effect on the gastrointestinal tract. The effect of continuous subcutaneous infusion of CCK-8 and L-364,718 in combination was very similar to that of L-364,718 alone. Pancreaticobiliary diversion (PBD) induced a nearly 10-fold increase in the plasma CCK concentration 3 and 7 weeks after the operation. The serum gastrin values were unaffected. The weight of the pancreas was more than doubled after 7 weeks. At the same time the small intestine had gained weight, but the colon was unaffected. Continuous subcutaneous infusion of L-364,718 prevented the effect of PBD on the pancreas. On the basis of the assumption that L-364,718 is a specific antagonist of CCK, we conclude that endogenous CCK has a trophic effect on the pancreas but not on the gastrointestinal tract and that it is essential for normal pancreatic growth.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Neuronal markers in Hirschsprung's disease with special reference to neuropeptides.

Hirschsprung's disease (Megacolon congenitum) is characterized by a sustained contraction of a segment of the large intestine and a consequent enlargement of the preceding gut segment. Morphologically, Hirschsprung's disease is characterized by an absence of neuronal cell bodies in the intramural ganglia of the contracted segment. An additional characteristic finding is the presence of enlarged nerve trunks in the submucosa and in the layer separating the circular and longitudinal muscle layers. These nerve trunks contain abundant acetylcholine esterase (AChE)-positive nerve fibers. The nerve fiber hyperplasia together with an increased amount of acetylcholine as well as AChE activity in the aganglionic segment suggests a cholinergic hyperinnervation. There are other reports claiming an adrenergic hyperinnervation in the aganglionic segment. Recent studies on the peptidergic innervation of the afflicted intestinal segment have demonstrated marked reduction in the density of nerve fibers storing vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), substance P (SP), enkephalin and gastrin releasing peptide (GRP). The frequency of nerve fibers storing calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and galanin seems less affected. Interestingly, nerve fibers storing neuropeptide Y (NPY) are more frequent than normally in the aganglionic segment, the circular muscle being penetrated by numerous NPY-containing nerve fibers. Thus, neuropeptides have turned out to be interesting and promising new markers in the histochemical diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease. Other possibilities for the histochemical diagnosis includes the immunocytochemical demonstration of general neuronal markers such as neurospecific enolase (NEC), neurofilament and chromogranins. Techniques demonstrating the cholinergic and adrenergic hyperinnervation in the aganglionic intestine such as AChE staining and staining for adrenergic nerves are also of interest for the diagnosis.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1990

Calcitonin, calcitonin gene-related peptide, and gastrin-releasing peptide in familial thyroid medullary carcinoma.

We examined immunocytochemically the occurrence of the three peptides calcitonin, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) in medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. We also sought to determine whether the plasma levels of these peptides were increased when stimulated with calcium and pentagastrin in familial medullary carcinoma of the thyroid (MCT). The tumor tissue from all 17 cases examined was found to exhibit calcitonin and CGRP immunoreactivity, and in 15 of the 17 cases the tumor tissue also contained GRP immunoreactivity. In 7 of the cases selected at random, an intravenous injection of calcium carbonate (2 mg/kg body weight) and pentagastrin (0.6 microgram/kg body weight) produced marked elevation in plasma levels of calcitonin but did not significantly alter the plasma levels of CGRP or GRP. We conclude that most MCT tumors contain CGRP and GRP immunoreactive cells but that the plasma levels of CGRP and GRP are not altered on stimulation. This finding is clearly in contrast to the markedly elevated calcitonin levels. Hence, determination of plasma calcitonin levels still seems to be the most appropriate diagnostic test for MCT.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Effects of long-term hypergastrinaemia on the ultrastructure of enterochromaffin-like cells in the stomach of the rat, hamster and guinea pig.

The present report describes the ultrastructure of the enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells in the stomach of the rat, hamster and guinea pig, and the ultrastructural consequences of long-term hypergastrinaemia evoked either by continuous infusion of synthetic human (Leu15)-gastrin-17 for 4 weeks (rats) or by daily treatment with large doses of the antisecretory agent omeprazole for 2-10 weeks (rats, hamsters and guinea pigs). As a result, the ECL cells increased greatly in size (maximal effect after 2 weeks of omeprazole treatment, no further gain in size after 4 or 10 weeks). Also the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi area were enlarged. The most conspicuous feature of the ECL cells is the cytoplasmic vesicles, which are of varying size and either devoid of a dense core or with a small, often eccentrically located dense core. The vesicles probably represent the main storage site of the secretory products of the ECL cell. In addition, the cytoplasm contains granules, which differ from the vesicles in that they possess a more or less electron-dense core, surrounded by a narrow halo. The size of the vesicles ranged from small to very large, while the granules were uniformly small. Many vesicles were seen to lie very close together, some displaying an irregular outline (vacuole-like vesicles), at times giving the impression that they were undergoing fusion. The profile size (median value) of the vesicles was unaffected by gastrin infusion for 4 weeks. However, there was a tendency to a relative increase in the number of very small vesicles. In contrast, the vesicles became larger during the omeprazole treatment. Also, the number of vesicles that seemed to be engaged in fusion increased after omeprazole treatment but not after gastrin infusion. The observations support the view that ECL cells are influenced by gastrin. The effects of gastrin infusion and of omeprazole treatment on ECL cell ultrastructure were not completely identical. It cannot be excluded that the omeprazole-evoked achlorhydria evokes effects unrelated to those of hypergastrinaemia on the ECL cells, or that endogenous gastrins may evoke effects that are in some ways distinct from those of synthetic human (Leu15)-gastrin-17. Alternatively, the additional effects seen after long-term omeprazole treatment may reflect simply the duration of the hypergastrinaemic stimulus.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Neuronal galanin is widely distributed in the chicken respiratory tract and coexists with multiple neuropeptides.

The mammalian airways are known to be richly innervated by several types of peptide-containing nerve fibers. Galanin-containing fibers are, however, comparatively few. The results of the present immunocytochemical study indicate that the chicken airways receive a notably dense supply of galanin-storing fibers. Other major neuropeptides were neuropeptide Y, vasoactive intestinal peptide and substance P. Nerve fibers containing these peptides were distributed in the trachea, main bronchi, and the lungs. Minor nerve fiber populations contained calcitonin gene-related peptide, enkephalin and gastrin-releasing peptide. In the trachea and main bronchi the majority of peptide-containing nerve fibers was distributed beneath and sometimes also within the epithelium; fibers were fewer in the lamina propria. In the lungs they occurred both in association with the epithelium of small bronchi and in the septa. Adrenergic nerves (using tyrosine hydroxylase as marker) were predominantly distributed in the lamina propria among bundles of smooth muscle and blood vessels. In the nerve fibers associated with the epithelium and in nerve cell bodies in local ganglia of the tracheal wall, galanin was found to coexist with several other neuropeptides (neuropeptide Y, vasoactive intestinal peptide and substance P) suggesting co-expression of multiple neuropeptide genes in the same population of neurons.

Adrenergic Fibers↗
PubMed1989

Cysteamine and the endocrine pancreas: immunocytochemical, immunochemical, and functional aspects.

To evaluate the previously reported depletion of pancreatic somatostatin by cysteamine (beta-mercaptoethylamine), mice were injected subcutaneously with the drug at 300 mg/kg. Immunocytochemical analysis performed on sections from tissue taken at 4 h after the injection revealed an elimination of somatostatin-14-like immunoreactivity without alterations in the somatostatin-28(1-12)-like immunoreactivity. In sections from tissues taken at 24 h after injection, no differences between cysteamine-injected animals and controls were observed. Immunochemical analysis of somatostatin-14-like immunoreactivity in pancreatic extracts showed a significant reduction of the concentration (P less than 0.001). In contrast, no change in the insulin concentration was observed. Functionally, cysteamine lowered the plasma glucose levels at 1 h after injection; this effect persisted for 6 h. Plasma insulin levels were likewise reduced transiently by cysteamine. Concomitant administration of somatostatin did not influence these effects of cysteamine. The plasma glucose-lowering effect of cysteamine was seen also in alloxan-diabetic mice. We conclude that cysteamine alters the immunoreactive characteristics of pancreatic somatostatin without affecting the immunoreactivity of insulin, and that cysteamine transiently reduces plasma glucose and insulin levels.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Peptide-containing nerve fibers in the respiratory tract of the ferret.

The ferret is widely used in functional and neuromorphological studies on the respiratory tract. We have examined the occurrence and distribution of peptide-containing and adrenergic nerve fibers (using dopamine-beta-hydroxylase as a marker). Adrenergic nerve fibers and fibers storing vasoactive intestinal peptide have a widespread distribution along the entire respiratory tract. Adrenergic nerve fibers were found in the lamina propria, as well as around blood vessels and glands and in smooth muscle. Nerve fibers storing vasoactive intestinal peptide occurred in the epithelium, the lamina propria, around blood vessels and glands, and among muscle bundles. Substance P-, neurokinin A- and calcitonin gene-related peptide-containing nerve fibers predominated beneath and within the epithelium along the entire respiratory tract. Neuropeptide Y-containing nerve fibers were prominent among smooth muscle bundles and around glands. The blood vessels in the wall of the airways were richly supplied with peptide-containing nerve fibers and adrenergic fibers. Ganglia located over the outer or dorsal surface of the tracheal wall harbored vasoactive intestinal peptide-containing nerve cell bodies. Substance P and neurokinin A invariably coexisted in the same nerve fibers. Further, coexistence of substance P/neurokinin A and calcitonin gene-related peptide was observed in the nerve fibers associated with the epithelium. Vasoactive intestinal peptide, neuropeptide Y and occasionally also substance P coexisted in the population of nerve fibers associated with blood vessels and smooth muscle. Many adrenergic nerve fibers contained neuropeptide Y.

Adrenergic Fibers↗
PubMed1989

Neuropeptides in the human appendix. Distribution and motor effects.

At present our knowledge of enteric peptide-containing neurons in man is limited. In this study we have used human appendices removed at surgery to examine the peptidergic innervation by immunocytochemistry, immunochemistry, and pharmacological in vitro experiments. Immunocytochemistry revealed a variety of peptide-containing nerve fiber populations in the human appendix. VIP/PHI-, VIP/PHI/NPY-, SP/NKA-, galanin-, and enkephalin-containing nerve fibers were numerous; CGRP- and GRP-containing nerve fibers were moderate in number, while only scattered NPY-, enkephalin/BAM-, and somatostatin-containing nerve fibers could be found. No CCK-, dynorphin A-, or dynorphin B-immunoreactive nerve fibers could be detected. The coexistence of VIP/PHI, SP/NKA, and enkaphalin/BAM can be anticipated from the known sequence of their respective precursors. However, the coexistence of VIP/PHI and NPY was unexpected but corroborates previous observations in other species. Interestingly, SP and CGRP did not seem to coexist in nerve fibers of the human appendix. Immunochemistry (RIA and HPLC) confirmed the presence of VIP, NPY, SP, galanin, CGRP, GRP, enkephalin, and somatostatin. Motor activity studies suggest that acetylcholine plays a major role in the electrically evoked contractions, since atropine suppressed these contractions. Galanin (10(-8)-10(-6) M) and GRP (10(-9)-10(-7) M) caused concentration-dependent contractions that were unaffected by tetrodotoxin and thus probably reflect a direct action on smooth muscle receptors. GRP (10(-9) M) enhanced the electrically induced cholinergic contraction (to 193 +/- 24%), while met-enkephalin (10(-6) M) reduced it (to 54 +/- 6%). Both peptides failed to affect the contractile response to exogenous acetylcholine and probably act to modulate the release of acetylcholine. NPY, VIP, CGRP, SP, and somatostatin failed to induce contraction or to affect the electrically evoked contractions.

Appendix↗
PubMed1989

Helodermin-like peptides in noradrenaline cells of adrenal medulla.

Helodermin, a VIP/secretin-like peptide, was first isolated from the venom of the lizard Gila monster. Small amounts of helodermin-like peptides have since been detected in many mammalian tissues. Notably high concentrations were demonstrated in the thyroid gland, and immunocytochemical studies revealed intense helodermin-like immunostaining in thyroid C cells and medullary thyroid carcinoma cells. In the present study, we examined the adrenal gland of mouse, rat and pig for the presence of helodermin-like peptides. Using an antiserum raised against lizard helodermin immunostaining was observed in the noradrenaline-producing cells of the adrenal medulla in all 3 species. Radioimmunoassay revealed high concentrations of helodermin-like peptides in the mouse and rat adrenal. The concentrations in the pig adrenal could not be determined because of a non-parallel dilution curve. Upon high-performance liquid chromatography, the immunoreactive material in extracts of mouse and rat adrenals eluted in one major peak, close to the elution position of lizard helodermin.

Adrenal Medulla↗
PubMed1989

Omeprazole and ranitidine, antisecretagogues with different modes of action, are equally effective in causing hyperplasia of enterochromaffin-like cells in rat stomach.

Female rats were treated for 28 days with high doses of the gastric acid secretion inhibitors omeprazole and ranitidine. Omeprazole, which is long-acting, was given orally once daily. Ranitidine, which is short-acting, was given by continuous infusion (via osmotic minipumps, implanted subcutaneously). The aim was to produce a similar degree of acid inhibition with the two drugs. The inhibition of acid secretion over the day and night was more pronounced in the omeprazole-treated rats (maximal inhibition 100%, minimum 85%) than in those receiving ranitidine (mean 70%). In both groups, there was a great increase in plasma gastrin, somewhat greater after omeprazole than after ranitidine. The gastrin concentration in the antrum was almost doubled by both treatments and there was a moderate increase in the number of antral gastrin cells in the omeprazole-treated rats. The number of enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells (per visual field) increased in the oxyntic mucosa to the same extent (greater than 100%) in the ranitidine- and omeprazole-treated rats. Apart from the gastrin cells in the antrum and the ECL cells in the corpus no other gastric endocrine cell type seemed to respond to treatments with antisecretagogues. We conclude that, regardless of the type of antisecretagogue used, effective and long-term suppression of gastric acid secretion results in sustained hypergastrinemia and increased number of ECL cells. Conceivably therefore, the ECL cell hyperplasia reflects the trophic effect of gastrin.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Helodermin-like peptides in thyroid C cells: stimulation of thyroid hormone secretion and suppression of calcium incorporation into bone.

Helodermin is a vasoactive intestinal peptide-like peptide in the salivary gland venom of the lizard Heloderma suspectum. Helodermin-like immunofluorescence was observed in the parafollicular (C) cells in several mammals and in the C cell homologues of the chicken ultimobranchial gland. Thus, helodermin-like peptides coexist with calcitonin. The results of radioimmunoassay agreed with the immunocytochemical findings. HPLC of rat thyroid extracts revealed one major peak of helodermin-like immunoreactivity, which eluted in a position close to that of lizard helodermin. Helodermin stimulated basal thyroid hormone secretion and colloid droplet formation in conscious mice. The effect of large doses of helodermin was quite long-lasting and the maximal response occurred after 2-6 hr. In addition, helodermin suppressed the incorporation of calcium into bone in conscious rats. The findings suggest that helodermin-like peptides in C cells may be involved in the local regulation of thyroid hormone secretion and in the maintenance of calcium homeostasis.

Animals↗