Histochemical changes in mucus in duodenal ulceration.

In duodenal ulceration the Alcian blue staining acid mucosubstances in goblet cells are reduced and the goblet cells themselves disappear. At the same time periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining neutral mucosubstances appear in the cells of the surface epithelium. These changes have been measured quantitatively with the help of a Vickers M86/0010 Scanning and Integrated Microdensitometer. During healing the changes are reversed. It is suggested that these changes suggest a metaplasia towards a gastric type mucosa as a protective response to the presence of ulceration.