Paneth cells and coeliac disease--quantitative, morphometric analysis

In semithin toluidine blue stained sections, investigated under the light microscope, the size and the shape of the Paneth cells, their nuclei and their granules was studied. The group of 10 patients suffering from the coeliac disease was compared with the control group (5 persons without gastrointestinal trouble). The results revealed a statistically significant increase in the size and shape alterations of the Paneth cells and increase in the number and size of their granules in the group of patients with the coeliac disease. This morphological findings prove higher functional activity of the Paneth cells in the coeliac disease. We can conclude that changes in the number, size and shape of the Paneth cells can be regarded as a non-specific defense reaction to this disease.