Experimental Studies on the Relationship between Protein-Content in Diet and the Function of the Gastric Gland Cells

I. Cytological Study on the Peptic Cells

Abstract

Rats were fed with experimental diet which contained 0%, 20%, 40%, 60% or 80% of protein, as represented in table 1 (p. 209), and the functional movements of the minute structure of the gastric gland cells were observed.
In case of giving diet without protein, the peptic cells showed a remarkable inferiority of function and a degenerative structure. The peptic cells showed, contrarily, a marked superiority of function in case of giving diet with 60 or 80% protein (with high protein). However, in this case, the production of secretion granules in the cells surpassed evidently the discharge of them, so that an unbalance of the function took place. In both cases the cells were in abnormal function. These abnormalities increased with prolongation of such feeding.
The peptic cells showed more superior functional figures in 20% and 40% protein diet feeding than in normal case (feeding with artificial food which corresponds to 14.7% protein diet). Hereby the production and the discharge of secretion granules balanced in the cells. On the other hand, in cases of 0% and 80% protein diet feeding, it could be seen not only degeneration of the peptic cells but also ulcerous changes of the mucosa. As the causes of them, the author considered degenerative inferiority, overwork and unbalance of the cell function.
It is concluded that a lack or a surplus of dietetic protein brings about various changes in the function of the peptic cells, injures them and finally degenerates them.