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MITOCHONDRIAL CHANGES IN THE CELLS OF THE GASTRIC GLANDS IN RELATION TO ACTIVITY
Author(s) -
Lim R. K. S.,
Ma W. C.
Publication year - 1926
Publication title -
quarterly journal of experimental physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1469-445X
pISSN - 0370-2901
DOI - 10.1113/expphysiol.1926.sp000381
Subject(s) - mitochondrion , secretion , cytoplasm , microbiology and biotechnology , cell , chemistry , biology , anatomy , biochemistry
1. The granules of the oxyntic cells are probably mitochondrial. During activity there is a peripheral aggregation of granules which eventually leaves the central part of the cell free from them. The granules themselves may elongate into rods (dog and cat) or filaments (rabbit). Other changes, such as swelling of the granules and loss of staining, also take place in some of the cells. It is suggested that these are extreme changes of a pathological character. 2. The peptic cells contain dot‐like mitochondria in the periphery of the loaded or resting cell. As the granules are discharged, mitochondrial rods or filaments develop in the interior of the cell, forming a loose network. The free ends of some of the filaments become varicose, and in the rabbit the appearance suggests a transformation of the swollen ends into free zymogen granules, although such a transition is not clearly indicated in the dog or cat. 3. The changes consequent on activity are more marked among the deeply situated oxyntic cells, while, in the case of the peptic cells, it is the superficial cells which are the most affected. The causes of these differences are discussed. 4. The oxyntic mitochondria are not greatly reduced in number after prolonged activity, while the peptic mitochondria increase as the zymogen is discharged, and vice versa . It is suggested that the mitochondria act as facilitators and do not become transformed into secretion material, although some of the mitochondria may be bound up with the secretion and thereby lost. Since the peptic secretion is probably more colloidal in nature than that of the oxyntic cell, it may explain a greater loss (?) of mitochondria by the former if it is supposed that the zymogen is able to adsorb mitochondrial material. 5. The mucoid‐cell mitochondria show no appreciable change with activity. This is to be expected in view of the little variation in the secretion of these cells. 6. Histologically the cells showing the greatest change after activity may be considered to have their function impaired (fatigued ?), but functionally it is found that the volume of secretion does not diminish pari passu with the onset of such changes. That is to say, there are certain structural changes consequent upon activity, and especially prolonged activity, but these do not indicate cessation of function.