Diminution in parietal cell number in experimental portal hypertensive gastropathy

Portal hypertensive gastropathy is a well-established clinical entity. Although stimulated acid secretion has been found to be decreased in portal hypertensive rats, the parietal cell mass has not been studied. Portal hypertension was produced in Wistar rats either by partial portal vein ligation (N = 16) or by common bile duct ligation (N = 23) and confirmed by intrasplenic pulp pressure measurement. The parietal cells were isolated and counted in a Neubaur hemacytometer. The parietal cell count was also done in microscopic sections at direct histopathological examination. The viable, isolated parietal cell count and parietal cell count on histopathological examination were significantly decreased in partial portal vein ligated rats. Similarly, in common bile duct ligated rats, the parietal cell count was decreased as compared to sham-operated rats. In experimental portal hypertensive gastropathy there is a decrease in parietal cell number.