The distribution of duodenal G cells in duodenal ulcer patients

The number of G cells is evaluated in biopsy specimens of fundic, antral and duodenal mucosa from the bulb, second and third parts in 10 patients with duodenal ulcer, and compared with that observed in 6 normal controls. G cells are absent in fundic mucosa but in the antrum their number in duodenal ulcer patients does not differ from that of controls and is strictly related to the histological pattern of the mucosa. In the second and third duodenum of duodenal ulcer patients the number of G cells is significantly higher in comparison with controls, while in the bulb the two groups do not differ significantly. Moreover, when different duodenal portions are compared no differences in the number of G cells are observed in the duodenal ulcer group; while in controls the bulbar number of G cells is higher in comparison with second and third duodenum.