Endocrine cells in the denervated intestine

This study deals with the effects of myenteric denervation of the proximal jejunum on endocrine cell population of the crypt-villus unit, 5 months aft er treatment with benzalkonium chloride (BAC). Male Wistar albino rats weig hing on average 100 g were allocated to two groups: the BAC group - the pro ximal jejunal serosa was treated with 2 mM BAC for 30 min, and the control group - treated with saline solution (0,9% NaCl). There was a significant r eduction in neurone number in the jejunal myenteric plexus of the BAC group and the endocrine cell population (serotoninergic and argyrophilic cells) was significantly increased in this intestine segment. In conclusion, the p resent findings provide further evidence that the myenteric denervation ind uced by BAC may lead to the development of a local imbalance of the neurotr ansmitters, with a consequent induction of enteroendocrine cell (argyrophil ic and serotoninergic cells) hyperplasia in the crypt and villus.