title: Chronic propranolol treatment affects parietal cells of the developing rat gastric mucosa.
abstract: The nonselective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol (0.3 mg/kg body weight) was given to rats, twice daily, from the day of birth to 5 weeks of age. The animals were then killed, and sections from gastric mucosa were prepared for light and electron microscopy. Propranolol treatment significantly reduced the thickness of the mucosa as compared with that of the controls. The parietal cell volume density and the number of parietal cells were markedly decreased following propranolol. The volume density of lamina propria and of other epithelial cells in the gastric mucosa were not significantly different from the control group. The secretory canaliculi of the parietal cells seemed markedly increased, indicating enhanced secretory activity. These findings suggest an important role for the adrenergic-sympathetic system in the development of parietal cells in the maturing gastric mucosa.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010295:Parietal Cells, Gastric / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011433:Propranolol