Apudocytes and mast cells in chronic inflammation of the colon: Clinicomorphological collerations

Aim. To study functional morphology of a total population of endocrine cell s of colon mucosa, mast and enterochromaffine cells. Materials and methods. Light and electrone microscopy, immunohistochemical methods, morphometry were used to study endocrine and mast cells of the sig moid colon in inflammation. Results. Changes of functional morphology and size of endocrine and mast ce ll population as well as apudocytes producing serotonin, melatonin, vasoint estinal peptides were stated. Apudocyte and mass cell functional morphology , clinical symptoms and mucosal structural changes correlated Specificity o f some parameters in Chron's disease is shown. Conclusion. The results may provide additional criteria in diagnosis of dif ferent variants of chronic colitis.