The structure of normal and regenerating rat oxyntic mucosa

The morphology of the normal oxyntic mucosa is described. Different animal models for the production of gastric ulcers are briefly reviewed. In a series of rats, wounds were produced by cauterisation of the oxyntic mucosa. The mucosal regeneration process was then followed by morphometrical methods using light and electron microscopy. In particular, the regeneration of the acid-producing parietal cells was followed. Initially, the ulcer area is covered by primitive epithelial cells originating from the mucosa in the wound margin. These cells form the new gastric glands. With time, all specialised epithelial cell types which normally occur in the oxyntic mucosa can be recognised and, if regeneration is allowed to continue, the structure and function of these cells will normalise. However, the amount of glands and the number of parietal cells within the glands remain subnormal.