Mast cells in ulcerative colitis. Quantitative and ultrastructural studies

• Published in: Virchows Archiv. B, Cell pathology Vol. 57; no. 6; p. 353
• Main Authors: Balázs, M, Illyés, G, Vadász, G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 1989
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biopsy; Colitis, Ulcerative - pathology; Colon - pathology; Colon - ultrastructure; Female; Humans; Intestinal Mucosa - pathology; Intestinal Mucosa - ultrastructure; Male; Mast Cells - pathology; Mast Cells - ultrastructure; Microscopy, Electron - methods; Middle Aged
• ISSN: 0340-6075
• DOI: 10.1007/bf02899101

The changes in the number and ultrastructure of mast cells were studied in 37 colonoscopical biopsies from patients with ulcerative colitis. Changes in the active stage of the disease and during remission were compared. Cell counts were performed on semithin sections stained with Giemsa after osmium tetroxide fixation. This method overcome the uncertain staining found after formalin fixation. Accumulation of mast cells accompanied by intense degranulation was found to be significant in the active stage of the disease. Two forms of degranulation were observed: discharge of the individual granules and protrusion and detachment of the cytoplasmic processes containing granules. The latter was a sign of rapid degranulation, as described earlier in animal experiments. Mast cells were closely associated with capillary blood vessels, Schwann cells, neural fibres, myofibroblasts and collagenous fibres, and were also present between epithelial cells. It is assumed that close topographic contact may also imply a functional correlation.