HELICOBACTER PYLORI CHRONIC GASTRITIS ON PATIENTS WITH PREMALIGNANT CONDITIONS: OLGA AND OLGIM EVALUATION AND SERUM BIOMARKERS PERFORMANCE.

BACKGROUND: H. pylori chronic atrophic gastritis is a premalignant lesion, and its staging, according to OLGA and OLGIM systems aims to identify patients at increased risk of developing gastric cancer and optimize their follow-up. GastroPanel®, serum biomarkers panel including pepsinogen I (PGI), pepsinogen II (PGII), Gastrin 17 (G17) and anti- H. pylori antibodies is a noninvasive test for adenocarcinoma risk assessment in chronic H. pylori gastritis patients. OBJECTIVE: Prospective study to evaluate the concordance between OLGA and OLGIM grading systems, as well as to evaluate GastroPanel´s performance in patients with premalignant lesions secondary to H. pylori chronic gastritis in Brazil. METHODS: Patients with H. pylori chronic gastritis with premalignant lesions confirmed by histology were recruited from the gastrointestinal clinic of a University Hospital. All participants underwent endoscopic examination with biopsies which were reported according to updated Sydney system and premalignant lesions grading systems (OLGA and OLGIM). Blood samples were collected for biomarkers serological analysis (GastroPanel®, Biohit, Helsinki, Finland). The cut off values used to define high risk patients were those recommended by the manufacturer: PGI ≤30 µm/L and PGI/PGII ≤3. RESULTS: 41 patients were recruited: 28 women, 13 men, mean age 67.3 (47-89, SD: 9.6) years. By OLGA system, were obtained: OLGA 0 (n=1), OLGA I (n=7), OLGA II (n=17), OLGA III (n=9), and OLGA IV (n=7). By OLGIM system, were obtained: OLGIM 0 (n=14), OLGIM I (n=5), OLGIM II (n=10), OLGIM III (n=10), and OLGIM IV (n=2). Regarding histological staging among patients staged as low risk (OLGA/OLGIM 0, I and II) and high risk (OLGA/OLGIM III and IV) for gastric cancer development, the concordance rate found between both classifications was 85.4%. Considering high risk patients, those patients thus included in at least one of the systems the final distribution of our sample considered 24 low-risk and 17 high-risk patients for the development of gastric cancer. To determine by GastroPanel® whether the patient would be at low or high risk of developing gastric cancer, PGI showed a sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 0.47 (95%CI: 0.26-0.69), 0.67 (95%CI: 0.47-0.82), and 0.58 (95%CI: 0.43-0.72), respectively, while PGI/PGII showed sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 0.06 (95%CI: 0.01-0.27), 0.83 (95%CI: 0.64-0.93) and 0.51 (95%CI: 0.36-0.66), respectively. CONCLUSION: The histological classifications OLGA and OLGIM presented a substantial concordance rate among themselves. Simultaneous use of both histological classification systems increased the identification's rate of high-risk patients. Biomarker analysis was not effective to distinguish low to high risk patients in the studied population. Further studies are needed to validate its use in clinical practice in Brazil.

Histopathological features of mucosa atrophy in atrophic body gastritis / Características histopatológicas da atrofia da mucosa na gastrite atrófica do corpo

ABSTRACT Introduction: Gastric mucosa atrophy became a major issue in gastric pathology because of its connection with risk lesions for gastric cancer. Although gastric atrophy is frequently associated with different diseases, it has been included in many studies simply as a generic pathological condition, and different causes of gastric atrophy are omitted. Objective: To study the histopathological features of gastric mucosa atrophy inH. pylori- negative patients with atrophic body gastritis (ABG). Material and methods: Consecutive cases of patients diagnosed with ABG, and presenting normal or just lightly inflamed antral mucosa, were studied. Patients with gastrointestinal cancer and those with history of prior gastrointestinal surgery were excluded. The presence of intestinal metaplasia and pseudoantral (PSA) metaplasia in atrophic body mucosa was assessed. Results: During the period of 2004-2006 a total of 7,309 patients underwent gastroesophageal endoscopy with biopsies of the gastric mucosa; 3,556 (48.6%) were males, and 3,713 (51.4%) females. Among them, 105 had the diagnosis of ABG confirmed, with 32 (30.5%) males, and 73 (69.5%) females (p < 0.001). Intestinal metaplasia and/or PSA metaplasia were identified in all patients. As isolated lesions, PSA metaplasia was more frequent than intestinal metaplasia, respectively 42 (40%) vs. four (3.8%) cases. In most patients (56.2%) both types of metaplasia occurred simultaneously, and no differences were observed among genders (p = 0.67). Conclusion: Gastric mucosa atrophy in ABG shows distinctive histopathological features which should be considered in studies on the relationship between gastric mucosa atrophy and gastric cancer.

RESUMO Introdução: A atrofia da mucosa gástrica tornou-se capítulo importante da patologia gástrica devido ao seu estreito relacionamento com as lesões de risco para o câncer gástrico. Embora a atrofia gástrica possa estar associada a diferentes doenças, ela tem sido abordada como um processo genérico, omitindo-se suas diferentes causas. Objetivo: Estudar as características histopatológicas da atrofia da mucosa gástrica em pacientes com gastrite atrófica do corpo (ABG). Material e métodos: Foram estudados casos consecutivos de pacientes com diagnóstico de ABG que apresentavam mucosa antral normal ou apenas alterações inflamatórias mínimas. Pacientes submetidos a cirurgia gastrointestinal prévia ou portadores de câncer gastrointestinal foram excluídos. Nas preparações histopatológicas, estudou-se a presença de glândulas que exibiam metaplasia intestinal e metaplasia pseudoantral (PSA). Resultados: No período 2004-2006, 7.309 pacientes foram submetidos à endoscopia esofagogástrica com biópsias, sendo 3.556 (48,6%) homens e 3.753 (51,4%) mulheres. Entre eles, 105 pacientes H. pylori negativos tiveram o diagnóstico de ABG confirmado, sendo 32 (30,5%) homens e 73 (69,5%) mulheres (p < 0,001). Glândulas com metaplasia intestinal e/ou metaplasia PSA foram identificadas em todos os pacientes. Isoladamente, a metaplasia PSA foi mais frequente que a metaplasia intestinal, respectivamente 42 (40%) vs. quatro (3,8%). Os dois tipos de metaplasia ocorreram simultaneamente na maioria (56,2%) dos pacientes, não se observando diferenças entre os gêneros (p = 0.67). Conclusão: A atrofia da mucosa gástrica na ABG mostra características histopatológicas próprias que devem ser consideradas nos estudos sobre o relacionamento da atrofia gástrica com o câncer gástrico.

EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT PERIODS OF GASTRIC ISCHAEMIA IN THE VIABILITY OF THE TISSUE OF BODY, FUNDUS AND ANTRUM REGION OF RABBIT STOMACH / EFEITOS DE DIFERENTES TEMPOS DE ISQUEMIA GÁSTRICA SOBRE A VIABILIDADE DOS TECIDOS DO CORPO, FUNDO E ANTRO DO ESTÔMAGO DE COELHOS

BACKGROUND: Despite the rich vascular arcade of the stomach, gastric ischemia represents an important medical challenge and can be the consequence of obstructive or non-obstructive vascular processes of pathological or iatrogenic origin.AIM: To assess the effects of acute gastric ischaemia on the different regions of the stomach.METHOD: Fifteen New Zeland rabbits were divided into three groups: group 1, animals were observed during 3 h; group 2, during 6 h; group 3, during 12 h. Rabbit stomachs were subjected to devascularization of the greater and lesser curvatures. After predetermined time, the stomachs were removed for macro and microscopic studies.RESULTS: Haemorrhagic necrosis was more marked in the gastric fundus and body. In contrast, the antropylorus remained preserved in 80% of the animals. Necrosis of the gastric body and fundus mucosa were observed in all animals after 6 h and 12 h of ischaemia.CONCLUSION: Acute gastric ischaemia in rabbits produces haemorrhagic necrosis of the gastric fundus and body even in a short period of time. Beside this, the antropyloric region was significantly more resistant to ischaemia.

RACIONAL: Isquemia gástrica representa importante desafio médico e geralmente é decorrente de processos vasculares obstrutivos ou não-obstrutivos. Apesar da rica arcada vascular do estômago, lesões de isquemia gástrica têm sido observadas. Quando a isquemia progride, pode culminar em necrose do órgão.OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos dos diferentes tempos de isquemia gástrica sobre os tecidos da parede do estômago de coelhos mediante desvascularização total de ambas as curvaturas gástricas.MÉTODO: Foram utilizados 15 coelhos machos da raça Nova Zelândia. Os animais foram distribuídos nos seguintes grupos: grupo 1, observados por 3 h; grupo 2, por 6 h; grupo 3, por 12 h. A técnica cirúrgica foi a mesma em todos os animais e consistiu na ligadura e secção de todas as veias e artérias da parede gástrica. Após o período pré-determinado de observação, o estômago foi removido por completo para estudo macro e microscópico.RESULTADOS: As alterações macroscópicas e histológicas tornaram-se mais intensas com o aumento do tempo de isquemia e foram mais evidentes nas regiões do fundo e do corpo. Por outro lado, o antro manteve-se preservado na maioria dos animais operados. Necrose de mucosa do corpo e do fundo foi observada em todos os animais estudados, e foi acompanhada por hemorragia em 60% dos coelhos dos grupos 2 e 3.CONCLUSÃO: O modelo experimental de isquemia gástrica foi eficaz para produzir necrose hemorrágica de fundo e corpo do estômago de coelhos mesmo em curto tempo. Por outro lado, a região do antro pilórico desses animais mostrou-se significativamente mais resistente à isquemia do que as demais regiões.

Effects of different periods of gastric ischaemia in the viability of the tissue of body, fundus and antrum region of rabbit stomach.

BACKGROUND: Despite the rich vascular arcade of the stomach, gastric ischemia represents an important medical challenge and can be the consequence of obstructive or non-obstructive vascular processes of pathological or iatrogenic origin. AIM: To assess the effects of acute gastric ischaemia on the different regions of the stomach. METHOD: Fifteen New Zeland rabbits were divided into three groups: group 1, animals were observed during 3 h; group 2, during 6 h; group 3, during 12 h. Rabbit stomachs were subjected to devascularization of the greater and lesser curvatures. After predetermined time, the stomachs were removed for macro and microscopic studies. RESULTS: Haemorrhagic necrosis was more marked in the gastric fundus and body. In contrast, the antropylorus remained preserved in 80% of the animals. Necrosis of the gastric body and fundus mucosa were observed in all animals after 6 h and 12 h of ischaemia. CONCLUSION: Acute gastric ischaemia in rabbits produces haemorrhagic necrosis of the gastric fundus and body even in a short period of time. Beside this, the antropyloric region was significantly more resistant to ischaemia.

Histological identification of H. pylori stained by hematoxylin-eosin and Giemsa: review for quality control / Identificação histológica do H. pylori corado por hematoxilina-eosina e Giemsa: revisão para controle de qualidade

Introduction: Several special staining methods are available for H. pylori (Hp) identification in histological sections of chronic gastritis (CG), including the routine hematoxylin-eosin (HE) method. Some reports suggest that ancillary stains are not always needed to establish the diagnosis of Hp infection. In addition, the benefit of using them, when biopsies show minimal inflammation, is not clear. Objective: We performed a retrospective study to compare the usefulness of HE with Giemsa method for the histopathological diagnosis of Hp in tissue sections. Methods: Histological sections from 390 consecutive patients were reviewed. The patients were registered in the histopathology laboratory of Instituto Alfa de Gastroenterologia, Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brasil. They were divided in 4 groups according to the gastric inflammatory changes as follows: Group I, gastric mucosa with normal morphology or minimal inflammatory changes (n = 146); Group II, chronic gastritis (CG) with mild inflammatory activity (n = 101); Group III, CG with patent inflammatory activity (n = 123); Group IV, patients with atrophic body gastritis (n = 20). All histological sections were carefully evaluated by 2 examiners at the oil immersion objective (1000×). Results: The identification of Hp was positive by Giemsa and HE, respectively at: Group III, 111 (90.2%) and 93 (75.6%) patients (p < 0.01); Group II, 43 (42.6%) and 29 (28.7%) patients (p < 0.05). Hp was negative in Groups I and IV. Conclusion: The results show that Giemsa stain is superior to HE for histological identification of Hp in CG. Although Hp could be identified by HE stain in the majority of CG cases, a significant number of infected patients may be neglected, regardless the intensity of the inflammatory response. .

Introdução: Diversos métodos de coloração especial estão disponíveis para a identificação da bactéria H. pylori (Hp) em cortes histológicos. Entretanto, questiona-se a utilidade desses métodos na rotina diária dos laboratórios de patologia diagnóstica. Objetivos: Comparar a utilidade da coloração por hematoxilina-eosina (HE) com a do Giemsa para diagnóstico histopatológico do Hp. Materiais e métodos: Foram revistos os cortes histológicos de 390 pacientes consecutivos cadastrados no Laboratório de Histopatologia do Instituto Alfa de Gastroenterologia, Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brasil. Os pacientes foram divididos em quatro grupos: Grupo I - mucosa gástrica apresentando morfologia normal (n = 146); Grupo II - gastrite crônica (GC) com atividade inflamatória discreta (n = 101); Grupo III - CG com atividade inflamatória patente (n = 123); Grupo IV - pacientes com gastrite atrófica corpo (n = 20). Todos os cortes histológicos foram cuidadosamente avaliados por dois examinadores no aumento microscópico de imersão (1000×). Resultados: A identificação do Hp foi positiva pelo Giemsa e pela HE em, respectivamente, 111 (90,2%) e 93 (75,6%) pacientes do Grupo III (p < 0,01) e em 43 (42,6%) e 29 (28,7%) pacientes (p < 0,05) do Grupo II, e negativa nos grupos I e IV. Conclusão: Os resultados mostram que a coloração pelo Giemsa é superior à pelo HE para identificação do Hp em cortes histológicos. Conclui-se que o Hp pode ser visualizado pelo HE na maioria dos casos de GC, contudo, um número significativo de pacientes infectados pode ser negligenciado, independentemente da intensidade da resposta inflamatória. .

Greater resistance of the rabbit antropyloric region to experimental acute gastric ischemia / Maior resistência da região antropilórica de coelhos à isquemia gástrica aguda experimental

INTRODUCTION: Gastric ischemia represents an important medical challenge in pathology and surgical practice. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of acute gastric ischemia on different regions of the stomach. METHOD: Rabbit stomachs were subjected to devascularization of the greater and lesser curvatures for 3, 6 and 12 hours. After these periods, the stomachs were removed for macro and microscopic analysis. RESULTS: Hemorrhagic necrosis was more marked in the gastric fundus and body. In contrast, the antropylorus remained preserved in 100% of the rabbits after 3 hours of ischemia (group I), and in 80% of the rabbits after 6 and 12 hours of ischemia (groups II and III). Necrosis of the gastric body and fundus mucosa were observed in all animals after 6 and 12 hours of ischemia. CONCLUSION: We concluded that this experimental model of acute gastric ischemia was effective in producing hemorrhagic necrosis of the gastric fundus and body in rabbits even within a short period of time. Furthermore, the antropyloric region was preserved in most animals.

INTRODUÇÃO: Isquemia gástrica representa um importante desafio médico nas áreas de Patologia e Cirurgia. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da isquemia gástrica aguda nas diferentes regiões do estômago. MÉTODO: Estômagos de coelhos foram submetidos à completa desvascularização das curvaturas maior e menor durante 3, 6 e 12 horas. Após esses períodos de tempo, os órgãos foram removidos para análise macro e microscópica. RESULTADOS: Necrose hemorrágica foi mais evidente nas regiões de corpo e fundo. Por outro lado, a região antropilórica manteve-se preservada em 100% dos coelhos após 3 horas de isquemia (grupo I), e em 80% dos coelhos após 6 e 12 horas de isquemia (grupos II e III). Necrose da camada mucosa do corpo e do fundo gástricos foi observada em todos os animais após 6 e 12 horas de isquemia. CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se que esse modelo de isquemia gástrica aguda foi eficaz para produzir necrose hemorrágica do corpo e fundo de coelhos mesmo por um curto período de tempo. Além disso, a região antropilórica manteve-se preservada na maioria dos animais.

Density of ghrelin-producing cells is higher in the gastric mucosa of morbidly obese patients.

BACKGROUND: Ghrelin is a peptide mainly secreted by gastric mucosa and has been implicated in the regulation of eating behavior and weight balance. Obesity and Helicobacter pylori infection are associated with changes in plasma ghrelin levels. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the density of ghrelin-producing cells in the gastric mucosa of morbidly obese and dyspeptic non-obese patients, with and without H. pylori infection. METHODS: Gastric biopsies of the antral and oxyntic mucosa were obtained from 50 morbidly obese patients (BMI >40, 21 with metabolic syndrome (MS)), 17 dyspeptic overweight subjects (25

Chronic gastritis and bone mineral density in women.

We conducted a cross-sectional study of bone mineral density in women with Helicobacter pylori gastritis or autoimmune gastritis. Eighty-five patients were enrolled: 24 patients (mean age 55.2 +/- 13.5 years) with autoimmune gastritis, 34 patients (mean age 63.7 +/- 7.3 years) with H. pylori gastritis, and 27 H. pylori-negative patients with normal gastric mucosa (mean age 62.5 +/- 7.0 years). Gastric mucosa was evaluated by histology and immunohistochemistry. Bone mineral density was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Autoimmune gastritis patients presented severe gastric body mucosa atrophy, based on the absence of parietal cells in 15 (62.5%) patients and the presence of only scattered parietal cells in the remaining nine (37.5%) patients. Among the H. pylori gastritis patients, 21 (62%) presented with different degrees of gastric mucosa atrophy. Bone mineral densities (mean +/- SD, g/mm(2)) were not different among patients with autoimmune gastritis and H. pylori gastritis and the controls. Our results suggest that H. pylori-associated gastritis and autoimmune gastritis would not to be risk factors for decreased bone mineral density in women.

The presence of Helicobacter pylori in postmenopausal women is not a factor to the decrease of bone mineral density.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis affects approximately 30% of postmenopausal women. Gastrectomy, pernicious anemia, and more recently Helicobacter pylori infection, have all been implicated in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. A reduced parietal cell mass is a common feature in these conditions. AIM: To study a possible relationship between chronic gastritis, parietal cell density of the oxyntic mucosa and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women, as chronic gastritis, Helicobacter pylori infection and osteoporosis are frequently observed in the elderly. METHODS: Fifty postmenopausal women (61.7 +/- 7 years) were submitted to gastroduodenal endoscopy and bone densitometry by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Glandular atrophy was evaluated objectively by the determination of parietal cell density. Helicobacter pylori infection was evaluated by histology, urease test and breath test with 13C. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients (64%) presented chronic multifocal gastritis, and 20 of them (40%) showed signs of gastric mucosa atrophy. Lumbar spine osteoporosis was found in 18 patients (36%). The parietal cell density in patients with and without osteoporosis was 948 +/- 188 and 804 +/- 203 cells/mm(2), respectively. Ten osteoporotic patients (55%) and 24 non-osteoporotic patients (75%) were infected by Helicobacter pylori. CONCLUSION: Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis presented a well-preserved parietal cell density in comparison with their counterparts without osteoporosis. Helicobacter pylori infection was not different between the two groups. We concluded that neither atrophic chronic gastritis nor Helicobacter pylori seem to be a reliable risk factor to osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

The presence of Helicobacter Pylori in postmenopausal women is not a factor to the decrease of bone mineral density

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis affects approximately 30 percent of postmenopausal women. Gastrectomy, pernicious anemia, and more recently Helicobacter pylori infection, have all been implicated in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. A reduced parietal cell mass is a common feature in these conditions. AIM: To study a possible relationship between chronic gastritis, parietal cell density of the oxyntic mucosa and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women, as chronic gastritis, Helicobacter pylori infection and osteoporosis are frequently observed in the elderly. METHODS: Fifty postmenopausal women (61.7 ± 7 years) were submitted to gastroduodenal endoscopy and bone densitometry by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Glandular atrophy was evaluated objectively by the determination of parietal cell density. Helicobacter pylori infection was evaluated by histology, urease test and breath test with 13C. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients (64 percent) presented chronic multifocal gastritis, and 20 of them (40 percent) showed signs of gastric mucosa atrophy. Lumbar spine osteoporosis was found in 18 patients (36 percent). The parietal cell density in patients with and without osteoporosis was 948 ± 188 and 804 ± 203 cells/mm², respectively. Ten osteoporotic patients (55 percent) and 24 non-osteoporotic patients (75 percent) were infected by Helicobacter pylori. CONCLUSION: Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis presented a well-preserved parietal cell density in comparison with their counterparts without osteoporosis. Helicobacter pylori infection was not different between the two groups. We concluded that neither atrophic chronic gastritis nor Helicobacter pylori seem to be a reliable risk factor to osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

RACIONAL: A osteoporose afeta aproximadamente 30 por cento das mulheres na pós-menopausa. Gastrectomia, anemia perniciosa e mais recentemente, a infecção pelo H. pylori, têm sido implicados na patogênese da osteoporose. A diminuição da massa de células parietais constitui aspecto comum a estas condições. OBJETIVOS: Estudar possível relação entre gastrite crônica, densidade de células parietais da mucosa oxíntica e a densidade mineral óssea em mulheres na pós-menopausa. MÉTODOS: Cinqüenta mulheres na pós-menopausa (média de idade 61.7 ± 7 anos) foram submetidas a endoscopia digestiva alta e a densitometria óssea pela absorciometria com raio-X de dupla energia. A atrofia glandular foi avaliada, histologicamente e pela determinação da densidade das células parietais na mucosa do corpo gástrico. A infecção pelo H. pylori foi avaliada através da histologia, teste da urease e teste respiratório com C13. RESULTADOS: Trinta e dois pacientes (64 por cento) apresentaram gastrite crônica e 20 (40 por cento) deles apresentaram sinais de atrofia de mucosa gástrica através da análise histopatológica rotineira. Osteoporose da coluna lombar foi encontrada em 18 (36 por cento) pacientes. A densidade de células parietais em pacientes com e sem osteoporose foi 948 ± 188 e 804 ± 2003 células/mm², respectivamente. Dez pacientes (55 por cento) com osteoporose e 24 por cento (75 por cento) pacientes sem osteoporose estavam infectados pelo H. pylori. CONCLUSÃO:Mulheres na pós-menopausa com osteoporose apresentaram mucosa gástrica e população de células parietais mais conservadas em relação àquelas sem osteoporose. A infecção pelo H.pylori não foi estatisticamente diferente entre mulheres com e sem osteoporose, indicando que a infecção por esta bactéria, com ou sem atrofia da mucosa gástrica, não se constitui em fator de risco para osteoporose em mulheres na pós-menopausa.

Age-related deficit in behavioural extinction is counteracted by long-term ethanol consumption: correlation between 5-HIAA/5HT ratio in dorsal raphe nucleus and cognitive parameters.

We investigated age-related changes in learning and memory performance and behavioural extinction in the water maze; and in endogenous levels of serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) in the neocortex, hippocampus, thalamus and dorsal raphe nucleus of Wistar rats. Another aim was to assess the correlation between behavioural and biochemical parameters, which were measured in rodents of two different ages: 5 months (adults) and 16 months (middle-aged). The middle-aged subjects succeeded in learning the behavioural task, albeit with significantly worse performance when compared to adult animals. Aging also had significant main effects on memory and extinction. An age-dependent decrease in 5-HIAA levels was observed in both hippocampus and dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN). The decrease in DRN 5-HIAA was paralleled by a decrease in 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio in this brain area, which was significantly correlated to the animals' spatial memory performance and behavioural extinction. In addition, using middle-aged rats, a 2x2 factorial study was carried out to examine the effects of food restriction and chronic ethanol consumption on rat's performance in a spatial behavioural task and on central serotonergic parameters. None of these two treatments had a significant effect on the behavioural and biochemical parameters assessed, with the exception of extinction index, which was significantly affected by ethanol consumption. Long-term ethanol ameliorated the impairment in behavioural flexibility caused by aging. In conclusion, long-term ethanol consumption may have a role in protecting against age-related deficit in behavioural extinction. Moreover, the present results also indicate that DRN serotonergic system is involved in spatial memory and behavioural extinction.

Route of jejunal mucosa absorption of trypsin demonstrated by immunofluorescence.

Previous studies have demonstrated the absorption of porcine trypsin in isolated jejunal loops from male Wistar rats by open-loop perfusion. The possible routes of absorption were examined in the study reported here. Trypsin (0.5 mg/ml) was dissolved in tyrode solution and perfused at a rate of 0.5 ml/min, at 37 degrees C, for 40 min. Using immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence techniques, strong reactivity towards anti-TLCK-trypsin antibody was demonstrated through out the enterocyte cytosol. The present data indicate that trypsin was absorbed by enterocytes, probably through a transcellular route.

Lymphocitic astritis: a study of its frequency and review of the literature

Lymphocytic gastritis is currently recognized as a special type of chronic gastritis characterized by a large number of intraepithelial lymphocytes in antral or oxyntic mucosa. The frequency of lymphocytic gastritis rarely exceeds 5 per cent of the histologic diagnosis of gastric biopsies. This diagnosis can be easily made by intraepithelial lymphocyte counts in preparations stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Very little is known about the etiopathogeny, clinical significance and evoution of the disease. The objective of the present study was to investigate the frequency of lymphocytic gastritis in gastric mucosa biopsies from the antrum and body in patientes submitted to upper digestive endoscopy in Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. Histological sections of antral and oxyntic mucosa from 400 patients with no gastric ulcer or neoplasia of the gastrointestinal tract were analyzed retrospectively. The following lymphocyte numbers per 100 epithelial cells were obtained: 0 a 5 lymphocytes in 366 patients (91,5 per cent); 6 to 15 lymphocytes in 22 patients (5,5 per cent); 16 to 29 lymphocytes in eight patients (2.0 per cent), and 30 or more lymphocytes in four patients (1 per cent). Patients with 30 or more lymphocytes were considered to haver lymphocytic gastritis. Three of these four cases with lymphocytic gastritis presented an endoscopic diagnosis of enanthematous pangastritis, and one presented erosive pangastritis.