Endocrine cells in the human common bile duct in patients with obstructive jaundice.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: There was no data about endocrine cells in the extrahepatic bile duct in secondary cholangitis due to obstructive jaundice. The aim of the present study is to investigate immunohistochemically the endocrine cell types in the lower part of the human common bile duct in biopsy samples, collected during drainage because of complete or incomplete obstruction, caused mainly by stones. We explained the presence of various hormone-producing endocrine cells in this region with the regulation of physiological and pathological processes there.

METHODOLOGY: We used light and electron microscopic immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

More gastrin-positive, somatostatin-positive, secretin-positive, serotonin-positive, chromogranin- A-positive and synaptophysin-positive endocrine cells were found compared to control preparations.

CONCLUSIONS

Occurrence of endocrine cells may relate to disturbed bile flow and to formation of calculi. Endocrine cell hyperplasia may be related to longstanding inflammation as in chronic cholecystitis and all secreted hormones from the described ECs can support pathologic process in the choledochus, i.e. inflammation, increased mucus secretion, fibrosis, muscle contraction, etc. We may state that various ECs (similar to those in duodenum) present in the lower part of the large bile duct and their hormones exert action on physiology (motility, secretion) and pathology (inflammation and fibrosis) in that part of the biliary tree.