The enterochromaffin cells in the mouse gastrointestinal tract after streptozotocin treatment.

Effects of 5 weeks streptozotocin treatment on the mouse gastrointestinal tract were studied with special emphasis on enterochromaffin (EC) cells. In the streptozotocin-treated animals the frequency of EC cells was reduced in the antral area and in the small intestine, but increased in the colon. The length of the intestinal tract and the mucosal thickness were increased in these animals. Possible mechanisms underlying these abnormalities of the EC cell system are discussed.