Cell proliferation kinetics in normal human gastric mucosa. Studies on diurnal fluctuations and effect of food ingestion.

Cell proliferation of human gastric mucosa was studied in 3 healthy subjects. Biopsies were obtained from the antral and fundic part of the stomach through a fiber gastroscope. After in vitro incubation with tritiated thymidine, autoradiographs were prepared by the dipping technique. Labeling and mitotic indices were estimated. The number of DNA-synthesizing cells and the mitotic frequencies were higher in antral mucosa compared to mucosa in the fundic part of the stomach. Biopsies were taken after 12 hr of fasting and at various intervals during the following day. It was not possible to demonstrate any diurnal variations in the labeling and mitotic indices. Furthermore, biopsies were taken at various intervals after ingestion of a protein-rich meal, preceded by 12 hr of fasting. Significant changes in cell proliferation were not found either in antral or in fundic mucosa, indicating that a meal does not affect the rate of cell renewal in human gastric mucosa.