The human stomach after antrectomy. A study of the type of epithelium, occurrence of gastrin-producing cells, and basal serum gastrin.

A histological and immunohistological investigation was performed on biopsy specimens from ten patients 3 to 35 years after antrectomy, to study the type of epithelium and the possible occurrence of gastrin-producing cells (G cells) in the distal stump of the stomach remnant. The study showed that parietal cells were present in all patients, whereas G cells could not be demonstrated, although areas of pyloric-type epithelium (pseudopyloric metaplasia, were seen in eight. We conclude that the pyloric-type metaplasia, which occurs in the fundic mucosa after antrectomy, does not involve the G cells. It is suggested that the normal levels of fasting serum gastrin in these patients originate from outside the gastric mucosa, presumably from the duodenal bulb.