Epidermal growth factor (EGF) deficiency and ethanol induced by gastric ulser on the rat: An ultrastructural study

SUMMARY In this study, the effect of removal of the submandibular gland (EGF deficiency) in Wistar albino rats has been examined by light and electron microscope in terms of the effects on the susceptibility of gastric mucosa to the inflammatory and damaging actions of ethanol. Adult female Wistar albino rats weighing 220-250 g were used. The animals were divided into four groups randomly. Group-I: The animals served as control ( n:7). Group-ll: Sialoadenectomy (n:7), Group-Ill: Alcohol treated (n:7), Group-IV: Sialoadenectomy+Alcohol treated (n:7). At the end of experimental periods, all rats were sacrifled under Ketamin HCI anaesthesia. The stomaches were removed, and the presence of gastric lessions were observed macroscopically. Mucus levels of the gastric mucosal barrier were measured using Corne's spectrofotometric methods. Gastric sections were taken and stained with Hematoxylen-Eosin and Periodic Acid Shift (PAS). Histological changes were examined under light microscope. Mucus levels of the gastric mucosal barrier were found to be decreased particularly in sialoadenectomy+alchool group (P<0.01) and levels were lower in sialoadenectomy and alcohol groups than in the control group respectively (P<0.05). In histological examination, ulceration was observed in all experimental groups, but severe ulseration, oedema, focal eresion, mononuclear inflamatory cell infilitration and PAS (-) staining was only observed in sialoadenectomy+alcohol treated group. Electron microscopy evaluation indicated that the stomach mucosa epithelium in control group showed a normal appearance while changes were observed in all experimental groups. However, severe basal epithelium of intercelluler adhesions were destroyed, apical mucus granulle was decreased, and parietal cell of intrasitoplasmic canaliculi-microvillus was increased in sialoadenectomy+alcohol treated group. These data showed that sialoadenectomy leads to an increase in mucosal inflammationa, decrease in mucus level shown by light microscope and electron microscope in animals subjected to sialoadenectomy+ ethanol treated.