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Effect of stress on mucin‐producing cells in the intestinal tract of mice
Author(s) -
Habiyambere Bupe Martha,
Onyango Edward M
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.1013.4
Subject(s) - mucin , jejunum , histology , corticosterone , duodenum , gastrointestinal tract , biology , ileum , endocrinology , andrology , medicine , pathology , hormone
Mucins are heavily glycosylated proteins that form part of the protective mucosal barrier of the gastrointestinal tract. This study investigated the effects of chronic stress on mouse intestinal histology especially that of mucin‐producing cells. Sixteen ICR male mice were divided into two groups of eight, a test and a control group. Test mice were restrained for 6 hours daily for 21 days. The control group had no access to feed or water during the 6‐hour restraint period of test mice. After the study period, all mice were euthanized and samples were collected. Blood was collected by retro‐orbital puncture and centrifuged to obtain serum for a corticosterone assay. Duodenal and jejunal intestinal portions were removed and fixed in Methacarn, embedded in paraffin, sectioned and stained using Alcian Blue‐Periodic acid Schiff to visualize the mucin‐producing goblet cells and measure villi length. As expected stressed mice showed higher corticosterone levels compared to control animals (P<0.05). Histology showed a decrease in the number of goblet cells in both the duodenum and jejunum of stressed mice compared to control mice (P<0.05). Villi length was lower in stressed mice compared to control animals (P<0.05). The findings suggest that stress may affect the dynamics of mucin production in the intestinal tract of mice. Research was supported by East Tennessee State University.