[Distribution of mast cells and its role in the pathogenesis of Hirschsprung disease].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the distribution of mast cells (MC) in colon tissue of Hirschsprung disease (HD) and explore the role of mast cells in the pathogenesis of HD.


METHODS
Forty-one cases of HD (male 23, female 18), age from 2 months to 15 years, and eight age-matched normal cases were enrolled in this study. The distribution of MC in all layers of colon was examined by immunohistochemistry with mouse antihuman mast cell tryptase monoclonal antibody.


RESULTS
The count of MC in all layers of colon aganglionic segments of HD was significantly higher as compared with colon ganglionic segments of HD and normal controls (21.47+/-3.59 vs 3.18+/-0.87, 2.75+/-0.51). The average optical density values(A) of MC in aganglionic and ganglionic segments significantly decreased as compared to normal control (0.38+/-0.10,0.31+/-0.11 vs 0.51+/-0.08).


CONCLUSIONS
Mast cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of HD.
Zheng
Heng
H
Department of General Surgery, Sichuan Provincial People' Hospital, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China.
Chen
Yu-min
YM
Wei
Ming-fa
MF
Guo
Zhi-yi
ZY
Zhao
Shi-yu
SY
Li
Ping
P
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006627:Hirschsprung Disease / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D053802:Tryptases / Q000378:metabolism
D053802:Tryptases