Changes in gastric parietal cells during prolonged intermittent corticosteroid treatment

Summary Immature A/J mice were treated for up to 7 weeks with intermittent doses of triamcinolone hexacetonide and were thereafter allowed to recover for 7 weeks. Structural examinations and morphological measurements were performed on the parietal cells in the gastric mucosa. By the 3rd injection a significant decrease was noted in the number of the above cells—a feature that lasted throughout the experimental period. In contrast, the diameter of the parietal cells increased. However, following recovery, the latter returned to their normal size.The authors wish to thank Mrs M. Brenman for her excellent technical assistance.