Immunocytochemical evidence for glucagon-containing cells in the human stomach.

To determine if glucagon-containing cells could be identified in the human fundus, stomachs attained at autopsy within 4-hours of death from persons previously considered to be in good health were examined by the indirect immunoperoxidase technique using antiglucagon serum 30K. Glucagon-containing cells were demonstrated in one of eight gastric fundi examined. The glucagon content of acid alcohol extracts of the fundi examined. The glucagon content of acid alcohol extracts of the funci was low in all cases. Glucagon content was also low in canine stomach removed 4-hours after death. It is concluded that glucagon-containing cells, demonstrable by immunocytochemical techniques, may be present in the gastric fundus of humans.