histochemical study of mucous substance of gastric epithelial lesions

introduction: mucinous compounds are a group of neutral glycoprotein which have a prime effect for protection of surface epithelium against digestion. studies showed the changes of these compounds in neoplasia and intestinal metaplasia of the stomach. materials and methods: specimens were taken from 25 surgically resected stomach from gastric lesion and it's periphery and processed as routine in pahology. praffin blockes were cutted 3-5m thickness and sections were studied histochemically using alcian blue ph=1 and ph=2.5, toluidine blue ph=4.5 in vernol's buffer,h&e; and diffrent blocking techniques such as active metylation, mild metylation and active metylation with saponification. results: results of this study showed the acidic nature of glycoprotein in intestinal metaplasia and signet ring cell carcinoma. more ever, sialomucins and sulphomucins were detected in type i and type iib intestinal metaplasia. morever combination of tubidne blue and blocking technique showed that sulphate groups are responsible for metachromasia of mucinous compounds. conclusion: the presence of sulphomucins in intestinl metaplasia recognized as arisk factor for progression of neoplasia , therfore recognition of these compounds inbiopsy specimen is a important warning and needs a serious follow up of the patient.