Structure and function of endocrine cells in the oxyntic (acid-secreting) mucosa of human stomach

The morphological and functional characteristics of the endocrine cells of the oxyntic (acid-secreting) mucosa of the human stomach, a target of the trophic effect of gastrin, are reviewed. In healthy subjects these cells account for 0.90 +/- 0.35% of the volume of the entire mucosa and for 1.21 +/- 0.44% of the volume of the epithelial mucosal component alone. The cells show no extension to the glandular lumen and show an intimate anatomic relationship with contiguous non-endocrine epithelial cells. This configuration indicates undefined local functions of the paracrine type not influenced by the gastric lumen content. Seven cell types were identified ultrastructurally, three of which (enterochromaffin-like (ECL), P and D) cumulatively account for more than 75% of the total endocrine cell mass. The secretory product(s) of the endocrine cells has not been demonstrated definitively with the exception of minor cell populations producing glucagon (only in the fetal life), somatostatin and 5-HT. Recently, production of histamine and glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit by oxyntic endocrine cells of man have been reported. However, histamine seems to occur in these cells normally, whereas the production of glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit appears to be virtually restricted to cells of patients with hypergastrinaemic conditions.