Abstract / Description of output
Objective: Various immunocytochemical characteristics of the human gall bladder innervation and epithelial secretor status were studied in an attempt to identify whether consistent changes might be found in gallstone formation and cholecystitis.
Material and methods: A total of 44 gall bladders were studied; 32 had been removed because of symptomatic disease and 12 gallstone-free gall bladders were obtained from donors of hepatic transplants. The gall bladders were assessed by routine haematoxylin and eosin staining and by immunocytochemical staining for neuronal and axonal structures, nerve sheaths, neuroendocrine cells and markers of epithelial secretion and differentiation.
Results: No difference between normal and inflamed gall bladders were found in neuroendocrine, epithelial secretory and differentiation markers. A considerable reduction in the number of stainable nerve fibres and ganglion cells in the lamina propria was observed in inflamed gall bladders compared with normal. Whether this is a causal factor for abnormal gall bladder function or is merely a result of tissue damage has yet to be determined.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 151-158 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology |
| Volume | 6 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - Feb 1994 |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- HUMAN GALL BLADDER INNERVATION
- NEUROENDOCRINE CELLS
- GALLSTONES