Chief cells of gastric fundal glands in patients with duodenal ulcer before and after vagotomy

: Chief cells were studied ultrastructurally and stereometrically in 93 patients at various intervals (from 2 weeks up to 4 years) after complete vagotomy as well as in 87 patients at the same intervals after selective proximal vagotomy. The chief cell structure indicated their high level of secretory activity in patients with duodenal ulcer regardless of the type of initial secretion (hypo-, normo- or hypersecretion). Vagotomy, apart from the decrease of the chief cell volume in the glands results in the reduction of their intracellular structures. The secretory granule structure was changed indicating the disturbance of cell differentiation, more pronounced after selective proximal vagotomy.