Histochemical characteristics of the secretory elements of the vermiform appendix following surgical trauma, circulatory hypoxia and immunization]

Histochemical methods were applied to determination of salomycin, dermatansulfate, keratosulfate and neutral mucopolysaccharides in the goblet cells of rabbit appendix. Sialomycin and neutral mucopolysaccharides were found in the glands. Immunization with human gamma globulin was followed in the productive phase of immunogenesis by a rise of the secretory activity of the mucosa of the appendix. An increase of the mucus formation in the appendix occurred after laparatomy and during the initial period of experimental appendicitis. However, surgical trauma caused an opposite effect against the background of increased functional activity of the secretory elements of the immunized animals, and during experimental appendicitis no activation of mucus formation was seen. The influence of the abovementioned factors on the secretory activity of the mucous membrane was accompanied by qualitative changes in the synthesized mucus.