[Endocrine cells of the gastric mucous membrane]

In order to obtain an additional information concerning a possible functional role of the main types of the endocrine cells (EC and ECL) on investigation of aspiration biopsy specimens taken from the middle third of the stomach in patients with ulcerative disease of the duodenum and chronic gastritis was carried out. Changes in morphology, distribution and number of the endocrine cells in pathology of the mucosa and in various acidity of the gastric juice were followed up. On the basis of the data obtained the conclusion is made that serotonin-producing (EC) cells seem to have nothing to do with the regulation of the activity of the fundal glands, whereas the enterochromaffin-like cells (ECL) influence the production of hydrochloric acid by pavement cells.