ADAPTIVE AND STRUCTURAL RESPONSES OF THE GASTRIC MUCOSA TO COMBINED ALIMENTARY TRACE ELEMENT DEFICIENCY
Keywords:
gastric mucosa, trace element deficiency, magnesium, iron, zinc, selenium, epithelial dystrophy, histology, experimental rats, mucosal homeostasis, inflammation, microcirculation, glandular structureAbstract
Combined deficiency of essential trace elements remains a critical issue in experimental morphology due to its impact on cellular metabolism, antioxidant defense, and tissue homeostasis. This study aimed to investigate the adaptive and structural responses of the gastric mucosa under conditions of combined alimentary deficiency of magnesium, iron, zinc, and selenium. The experiment was conducted on white outbred rats divided into control and experimental groups. Trace element deficiency was induced through dietary restriction. Gastric tissue samples were processed using standard histological techniques and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for microscopic evaluation. The control group demonstrated normal histological organization of the gastric mucosa, including intact epithelial lining, well-structured gastric glands, and absence of edema or inflammation. In contrast, the experimental group exhibited significant morphological alterations. These included epithelial dystrophy, disruption of epithelial integrity, glandular disorganization, stromal edema, vascular dilation, and lymphohistiocytic infiltration. The observed changes indicate both adaptive and pathological remodeling processes in response to micronutrient deficiency. The findings highlight the essential role of trace elements in maintaining gastric mucosal integrity and suggest that their deficiency leads to impaired barrier function and increased susceptibility to tissue damage. This study contributes to understanding the mechanisms underlying gastric mucosal pathology associated with micronutrient imbalance.
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