Effects of streptozotocin-induced long-term diabetes on parietal cell function and morphology in rats

Gastric pathology is a common complication in diabetes mellitus. The aim of the study was to evaluate the functions and morphological changes of the parietal cells of the rat stomach after streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Diabetes mellitus was induced in Wistar rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg body weight). The rats were weighed weekly and sacrificed after 6 months. The glandular portion of the stomach was removed and processed for H⁺-K⁺-ATPase immunohistochemistry and light and electron microscopy studies. Acid secretion was measured in vivo. After 6 months of diabetes, the mean weight of the rats was significantly lower (P < 0.001) compared to control. The mean weight of the stomach to body weight percentage increased significantly (P < 0.001) compared to control. The blood glucose level in diabetic rats was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than in normal control. Diabetic rats showed significant (P < 0.001) decrease in basal and stimulated acid secretion when compared to control. Electron micrographs of the parietal cells of glandular stomach of diabetic rats revealed significant (P < 0.0002) reduction in the number of mitochondria and a small though not significant increase in the number of canaliculi in the parietal cells compared with normal. Immunohistochemistry showed reduced H⁺-K⁺-ATPase (P < 0.00001) compared to control. Long-term diabetes induces morphological as well as functional changes in gastric parietal cells. The decrease in the number of mitochondria accompanied by reduced in H⁺-K⁺-ATPase in parietal cells may explain the reduced acid secretion observed in diabetics.