Localization of ANP-synthesizing cells in rat stomach.
OBJECTIVE
To study the morphological positive expression of antrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)-synthesizing cells and ultrastructural localization and the relationship between ANP-synthesizing cells and microvessel density in the stomach of rats and to analyze the distribution of the three histologically distinct regions of ANP-synthesizing cells.


METHODS
Using immunohistochemical techniques, we studied positive expression of ANP-synthesizing cells in rat stomach. A postembedding immunogold microscopy technique was used for ultrastructural localization of ANP-synthesizing cells. Microvessel density in the rat stomach was estimated using tannic acid-ferric chloride (TAFC) method staining. Distribution of ANP-synthesizing cells were studied in different regions of rat stomach histochemically.


RESULTS
Positive expression of ANP-synthesizing cells were localized in the gastric mucosa of rats. Localization of ANP-synthesizing cells identified them to be enterochrochromaffin cells (EC) by using a postembedding immunogold electron microscopy technique. EC cells were in the basal third of the cardiac mucosa region. ANP-synthesizing cells existed in different regions of rat stomach and its density was largest in the gastric cardiac region, and the distribution order of ANP-synthesizing cells in density was cardiac region, pyloric region and fundic region in mucosa layer. We have also found a close relationship between ANP-synthesizing cells and microvessel density in gastric mucosa of rats using TAFC staining.


CONCLUSIONS
ANP-synthesizing cells are expressed in the gastric mucosa. EC synthesize ANP. There is a close relationship between ANP-synthesizing cells and microvessel density in gastric mucosa of rats. The distribution density of ANP-synthesizing cells is largest in the gastric cardiac region.
Li
Chun-Hui
CH
Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College, Chengde 067000, Hebei Province, China. chli612@yahoo.com.cn
Pan
Li-Hui
LH
Li
Chun-Yu
CY
Zhu
Chang-Lin
CL
Xu
Wen-Xie
WX
D000818:Animals; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D004759:Enterochromaffin Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000098:blood supply / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006651:Histocytochemistry / Q000379:methods; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron / Q000379:methods; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013270:Stomach / Q000098:blood supply / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor