Disseminated endocrine cells of the gastrointestinal tract and their possible influence on gastrointestinal disease.

The role of the disseminated endocrine cells of the gastrointestinal tract is reviewed. Some of these cells are scarce or absent in pernicious anemia, ulcerative colitis and Sheehan's syndrome, but are increased in number in peptic ulceration, chronic gastritis and celiac disease. A subgroup of the diffuse endocrine cells with both endocrine and exocrine functions, the so-called amphicrine cells, suggests that these cells originate from the entoderm. A study of the diffuse endocrine cells in the chronic intestinal diseases of the developing countries is suggested.