Post-gastrectomy osteopenia in the rat: bone structure is preserved by retaining 10%-30% of the oxyntic gland area.
Background: The acid-producing part of the rat stomach (fundus) is rich in endocrine cells, i.e. ECL cells and A-like cells. The ECL cells operate under gastrin control and manufacture histamine, the chromogranin-derived peptide pancreastatin and an unidentified peptide hormone. The A-like cells produce ghrelin, a newly discovered growth hormone-releasing hormone. Surgical removal of the entire gl