A histopathological study of diffuse hyperplasia of gastric argyrophil cells.

The present study includes a histopathological and immunohistochemical study of 4 cases of diffuse hyperplasia of gastric argyrophil cells. The mode of proliferation of these cells and the production of hormone by these cells have been documented. The distribution of microacinar nests composed of argyrophil cells was thought to be related to chronic gastritis in which there are atrophy of mucosa and intestinal metaplasia. In the case in which these nests were found only in the corpus ventriculi, there was intestinal metaplasia throughout the stomach. On the other hand, in the case in which these nests appeared only in the pyloric area, atrophy of the mucosa with mild intestinal metaplasia was observed only in the pyloric area. The microacinar nests composed of argyrophil cells were distributed in the deep mucosa at the basal portion of the glands in the area with intestinal metaplasia. Serial sections revealed a sprout composed of argyrophil cells budding from the gland with intestinal metaplastic changes. The sprout buds out from the growth zone of glands with intestinal metaplasia and then becomes isolated and gives rise to reactive hyperplasia. The peptide hormone contained in these cells differs according to the mucosal environments. Cells containing gastrin were observed in the pyloric area, but not in the corpus ventriculi where there was marked intestinal metaplasia. The cells in this area were assumed to contain other hormones.