THE EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM LOW-PROTEIN INTAKE ON GASTRIN CELLS OF THE RAT ANTRAL MUCOSA DURING ADULTHOOD

The effect of experimental protein malnutrition on gastrin producing c ells in the antral part of the stomach was studied in male Wistar rats . Isoenergetic diets containing 25% (C-25) or 6% (PD-6) were given in isocaloric amounts during a 4-month experiment. All rats were offered drinking water ad libitum. The results showed that the long-term prote in diet did not produce changes in the gastrin cell. number. At the ul trastructural level G cells exhibited a decreased size of the nucleus. They were found to have an increased total granule volume density but the volume density of dense-cored granules was lower. The serum gastr in levels were significantly lowered by feeding the low protein diet. These changes are compatible with decreased functional activity of G c ells under long-term protein deprivation.