Abstract
Immunocytochemical localization of glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-PO) in the stomach was studied in rats under the following experimental conditions; 1) normal untreated 2) histamine-administration 3) atropine-administration in order to clarify the role of GSH-PO. In normal untreated group, GSH-PO was mainly observed in the central part of the gland. At higher magnification, GSH-PO was diffusely distributed in the pyramidal or oval-shaped cytoplasm. Intracellular localization of GSH-PO was predominantly observed in the cytoplasm of the parietal cells. In histamine-administered animal, GSH-PO was intensely stained in cytoplasm of the parietal cells with well-developed secretory canaliculi. In atropine-administered animal, the intensity of the GSH-PO staining in the parietal cells was remarkably decreased. By immunoelectron microscopic investigations, GSH-PO was noted in cytoplasm as small granules or lysosome-like structures.
Based on our data, it is suggested that GSH-PO in the gastric parietal cells may play an important role in the prevention of damage to the microsomes with lipid peroxides induced during the process of HCl secretion. We further speculated that GSH-PO within the lysosome-like structures after atrophic-administration might be a result of the degradation process of the peroxidized materials.
