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Alcohol ingestion-induced, changes in the human rectal mucosa: Light and electron microscopic studies

  • Published:
Diseases of the Colon & Rectum

Summary

Histologic and ultrastructural examination of specimens of rectal mucosa from 11 patients who had recently consumed excessive quantities of alcohol revealed marked pathologic changes. Goblet cells were decreased and a dense mononuclear cell infiltrate was seen on light microscopic study. Electron microscopy revealed swollen, distorted mitochondria and dilated and vesicular endoplasmic reticulum. These abnormalities disappeared after two weeks' abstinence. It is suggested that disordered organelle structure and function might contribute to the diarrhea frequently observed following excessive alcohol intake.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology and Pathology, Velerans Administration Hospital, 800 Poly Place, 11209, Brooklyn, New York

    Steven Brozinsky M.D., Kazem Fani M.D.,  Saul J. Grosberg M.D. & Simon Wapnick M.D.

  2. Downstate Medical Center, State University of New York, 800 Poly Place, Brooklyn, New York

    Steven Brozinsky M.D., Kazem Fani M.D.,  Saul J. Grosberg M.D. & Simon Wapnick M.D.

Authors
  1. Steven Brozinsky M.D.
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  2. Kazem Fani M.D.
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  3. Saul J. Grosberg M.D.
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  4. Simon Wapnick M.D.
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Additional information

This study was first described in an abstract in Gastroenterology 72: A-11, 1034, 1977

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Brozinsky, S., Fani, K., Grosberg, S.J. et al. Alcohol ingestion-induced, changes in the human rectal mucosa: Light and electron microscopic studies. Dis Colon Rectum 21, 329–335 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02586661

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02586661

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