An electron microscopic study of eccrine sweat glands in patients with cystic fibrosis of the pancreas

Abstract

Eccrine sweat glands contain an acid mucopolysaccharide-secreting cell in the secretory segment, the mucoid cell. Mucoid cells in cystic fibrosis of the pancreas contain fewer secretory vacuoles than normal. Unidentified dense bodies are present in all cells of the secretory segment in large numbers in cystic fibrosis, but they are also present in small numbers in the normal ones. The eccrine duct is normal in cystic fibrosis. The basic defect in cystic fibrosis of the pancreas is an abnormality in the production of mucopolysaccharide. Those organs secreting mucus evidence morphologic alteration: the mucus-secreting goblet cells obstruct the duct of the pancreas and liver; and the mucus-secreting acini of bronchial, Brunner's, submaxillary, and sublingual glands produce obstruction and dilatation of these glands. Glands evidencing no morphologic alteration but demonstrating altered electrolyte secretion are seromucoid glands; that is, the secretory cells liberate low-viscosity material and are ordinarily considered to be serous, but mucopolysaccharide can be demonstrated in the acinar secretory products; the eccrine sweat glands, parotid, and lacrimal glands fall in this class. Various hypotheses are presented to accountfor the defective electrolyte secretion of the seromucoid glands on the basis of altered mucopolysaccharide secretion. Eccrine sweat glands contain an acid mucopolysaccharide-secreting cell in the secretory segment, the mucoid cell. Mucoid cells in cystic fibrosis of the pancreas contain fewer secretory vacuoles than normal. Unidentified dense bodies are present in all cells of the secretory segment in large numbers in cystic fibrosis, but they are also present in small numbers in the normal ones. The eccrine duct is normal in cystic fibrosis. The basic defect in cystic fibrosis of the pancreas is an abnormality in the production of mucopolysaccharide. Those organs secreting mucus evidence morphologic alteration: the mucus-secreting goblet cells obstruct the duct of the pancreas and liver; and the mucus-secreting acini of bronchial, Brunner's, submaxillary, and sublingual glands produce obstruction and dilatation of these glands. Glands evidencing no morphologic alteration but demonstrating altered electrolyte secretion are seromucoid glands; that is, the secretory cells liberate low-viscosity material and are ordinarily considered to be serous, but mucopolysaccharide can be demonstrated in the acinar secretory products; the eccrine sweat glands, parotid, and lacrimal glands fall in this class. Various hypotheses are presented to accountfor the defective electrolyte secretion of the seromucoid glands on the basis of altered mucopolysaccharide secretion.