A systematic analysis of polyglucosan bodies in the human gastrointestinal tract in health and disease

Polyglucosan inclusion bodies have been described in smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract of aged dogs, and rarely in association with enteric dysmotility in humans. We have systematically examined the human small and large bowel for the presence of such inclusions in health and motility diso...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta neuropathologica 2003-04, Vol.105 (4), p.410-413
Main Authors: KNOWLES, Charles H, NICKOLS, Carole D, FEAKINS, Roger, MARTIN, Joanne E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging
Biological and medical sciences
Digestive System Diseases - metabolism
Digestive System Diseases - pathology
Female
Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen
Glucans - metabolism
Humans
Inclusion Bodies - metabolism
Intestine, Large - pathology
Intestine, Small - pathology
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Motility
Muscle, Smooth - pathology
Nervous system involvement in other diseases. Miscellaneous
Neurology
Other diseases. Semiology
Retrospective Studies
Smooth muscle
Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus
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Summary:Polyglucosan inclusion bodies have been described in smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract of aged dogs, and rarely in association with enteric dysmotility in humans. We have systematically examined the human small and large bowel for the presence of such inclusions in health and motility disorders. Systematic, blinded, dual observer analysis of colonic and ileal tissue from patients (n=80, age 20-92 years) undergoing large bowel resections for non-dysmotile conditions, principally neoplasia was performed, as well as retrospective review of all intestinal tissues referred for specialist histochemistry from patients undergoing surgery for motility disorders. All sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid-Schiff stains. No polyglucosan bodies were identified in any specimen without dysmotility, regardless of age, but were a feature of 4/104 patients with diverse severe gastrointestinal motility disorders. In contrast to dogs, polyglucosan bodies are not a feature of normal ageing in human gastrointestinal smooth muscle but, in accord with previous suggestions, are seen in rare cases of human gut dysmotility. The significance of this difference is unclear.
ISSN:0001-6322
1432-0533
DOI:10.1007/s00401-002-0662-1