DNA distribution pattern in chronic gastritis. I. DNA ploidy and cell cycle distribution.

DNA distribution patterns were flow cytometrically recorded in gastric biopsy specimens from patients with chronic gastritis (CG) and chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG). DNA aneuploidy was found in 3 of 58 patients with CG and in 7 of 82 patients with CAG. Cell cycle analysis disclosed significantly higher percentages of cells in S-phase and G2M-phase, respectively, in CAG than in CG. With regard to the proliferative activity the total CAG group could be partially differentiated by the degree of severity. CAG with total atrophy showed significantly higher percentages of cells in S-phase than CAG with mild and moderate atrophy. CAG without dysplasia showed lower percentages of cells in S-phase and G2M-phase than CAG with severe dysplasia (p greater than 0.05). The occurrence of intestinal metaplasia was correlated to a significantly higher percentage of cells in G2M-phase.