In an attempt to study the effects of the gastric resection on the secretory activity of the gastric gland in the remaining stomach, the author observed the gastric chief cells of operated dogs.
The experimentai dogs were divided into 4 groups for the operation-the subtotal gasterctomy of BILLROTH I type (A-group), the subtotal gastrectomy of BILLROTH II type (B-group), vagotomy and hemigastrectomy of B-I type (C-group), vagotomy and hemigastrectomy of B-II type (D-group). From each group, four small groups were made, determined as follows, 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months after the operation. Dogs were killed and materials were taken at the periods of 1. before administration of food (unfed for 24 hrs.) and 2. 1/2, 1, 2, 3 hrs. after the diet. The vital fixation by LUNA's liquid and then the fixation by KOLSTER's liquid were employed, and the sections of the stomach were stained by HEIDENHAIN's iron haematoxylin.
The results obtained are summarized as follows:
1. In the group of the subtotal gastrectomy, the secretory activity of the individual chief cell is within the physiological limit, but the activity after the diet is irregular in BILLROTH I type while relatively regular in B-II type. It is so obvious in the group at the long term period after the operation that the different results between B-I and B-II type seem to be due to the difference of stagnation of food in the stomach.
2. The vagotomy induces no inhibition of the discharge of secretory vacuoles in the chief cells but brings about the irregular initiation of the secretory activity of the chief cells after the diet. The secretory activity of the chief cells after the vagotomy tends toward the production of the secretory substance in the cells.
3. The liquefaction (externally the vacuolization, preparation for the discharge) of the secretary granules produced in the chief cell is often prolonged or inhibited after vagotomy, and, not seldom, the functional figure of the cell seems to being outside of the physiological limit.
4. The general condition of dogs as regards to emaciation, vomiting and appetite is better in the vagotomy-group than in the others.
5. According to the experimental results of the author, the most favourable operation-results both with regard to the general condition and the secretory activity of the chief cells are found in the group of the subtotal gastrectomy with the gastrojejunostomy (BILLROTH II type).
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