SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC STUDY OF THE BIOPSY SPECIMENS FROM HUMAN INTESTINAL METAPLASSIA

Abstract

The scanning electron microscopic findings of the surface structure of human gastric intestinal metaplasia were classified into 4 types according to the height and the distribution of the microvilli. And we studied the relationship of the morphlogical feature of intestinal metaplasia to its enzyme activity and its grade of methylene blue absorption. Type 1 : The distribution and the height of the microvilli of the intestinal metaplasia is regular, almost resembling normal intestinal mucosa. Type 2 : Parts of cells have difference in the height of the microvilli, but its distribution is regular. Type 3 : Immature cells, of which distribution of the microvilli is scarce, are recognised in some place. Type 4 : Such cells are recognised in many parts. On the relationship between methylene blue absorption and surface strfcture, Typel and Type 2, in which the distribution of the microvilli is regular, have higher capacity of methylene blue absorption comparing with Type 3 and Type 4 in which the distribution of it is scarce. On the other hand, concerning the relationship to the enzyme activity (ALP, LAP), many of Type 1 and Type 2 are classified as complete type of intestinal metaplasia (ALP +, LAP +), and many of Type 3, Type 4 are classified into incomplete type of intestinal metaplasia (ALP -, LAP +). We recognised intimate relationship among the surface structure of human gastric intestinal metaplasia, its capacity of methylene blue absorptin and its enzyme activity.