Changes of Histamine Contents and Mast Cell Population in the Gastric Mucosa of Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Cirrhotic Rats

For the purpose of clarifying the mechanism of gastric mucosal lesion complicated with liver cirrhosis, the authers examined the changes of histamine contents and mast cell population in the gastric mucosa of carbon tetrachloride-induced cirrhotic rats. The histamine contents in the gastric mucosa and the mast cell count in the superficial area of the mucosa were significantly increased spontaneously and reduced with cold restraint stress in cirrhotic rats. However, no reductions in the both factors were observed in normal rats. The incedence of gastric mucosal lesions in cirrhotic rats was 38%, while it was 0% in normal rats, and rose to 100% in the former against 28% in the latter with stress. The hexosamine contents in the gastric mucosa were significantly lower in cirrhotic rats than in normal rats. It is considered that in cirrhotic rats easy release of gastric mucosal histamine with stress, which is associated with degranulation of mast cells in superficial layer, results in development of gastric mucosal lesions, and that the reduction in defensive capacity may be one of the causes for the increase in mast cells