Effect of subdiaphragmatic vagotomy on zinc excretion by paneth cells of the rat small intestine under functional load

Summary An alteration in the host response to the intestinal protozoan Spironucleus (Hexamita) muris was noted in x-irradiated rat small intestine. When few were present in the crypt lumina, the intestinal microvillar border was normal. However, when larger numbers were present, the microvilli were greatly reduced in numbers or entirely absent in some regions. The organism was identified in the base of the crypt lumen, in apical portions of mucous cells, and near the basement membrane. Spironucleus enclosed by digestive vacuoles occasionally appeared to be in the process of being extruded through the basement membrane. Not all intracellular protozoa were surrounded by such digestive vacuoles. Spironucleus was never seen in association with the digestive vacuoles of Paneth cells. Since it has been suggested that Paneth cells have a role as a fixed phagocyte, ingesting protozoa and other microorganisms, the results presented here suggest that this function may have been impaired in irradiated animals.

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Ultrastructural localization of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphatase (NADPase) activity within columnar, goblet, and Paneth cells of rat small intestine.

Journal of Histochemistry & Cytochemistry ◽

10.1177/32.9.6086745 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 32 (9) ◽

pp. 989-997 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

S M Parsons ◽

C E Smith

Keyword(s):

Small Intestine ◽

Epithelial Cells ◽

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide ◽

Ultrastructural Localization ◽

Paneth Cells ◽

Nicotinamide Adenine ◽

Intestinal Epithelial ◽

Rat Small Intestine ◽

Golgi Stack ◽

Cis And Trans

The distribution of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphatase (NADPase) activity was examined in epithelial cells of rat small intestine. Segments of ileum were fixed with glutaraldehyde and tissue chopper sections were incubated for up to 4 hr at pH 5.0 in cytochemical media prepared with NADP as substrate. NADPase activity was found primarily within the Golgi saccules of columnar, goblet, and Paneth cells. Columnar and goblet cells showed most of the NADPase activity within the saccules which were intermediate between the cis and trans faces of the Golgi stack. Paneth cells, however, showed the heaviest staining within saccules between the intermediate and innermost saccule at the trans aspect of the Golgi stack. Both columnar cells and Paneth cells also contained spotty, and sometimes heavy, deposits of reaction product within an occasional focal area of the GERL system and within an occasional lysosome. Control experiments indicated that the Golgi-associated NADPase activity was enhanced if cells were pretreated for about 12 hr with EGTA prior to incubation. No similar enhancement was apparent if the tissues were pretreated with DMSO. Furthermore, NADPase activity within the Golgi saccules could be inhibited completely by incubating intestinal epithelial cells with NADP in the presence of sodium fluoride or L(+)-tartrate.

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