Histopathological Patterns of Gastric Injury Associated With Magnesium, Iron, Zinc and Selenium Deficiency

This article presents an experimental histopathological assessment of gastric injury associated with magnesium, iron, zinc and selenium deficiency. The study was performed on 3- and 6-month-old white outbred rats. The gastric mucosa was evaluated under isolated deficiency of Mg, Fe, Zn and Se, as well as under combined Mg+Fe+Zn+Se deficiency. The results showed that each type of microelement deficiency produced a specific pattern of gastric injury. Magnesium deficiency was mainly associated with reduced secretory and regenerative activity, iron deficiency with damage to parietal cells, zinc deficiency with impairment of the epithelial barrier, and selenium deficiency with dystrophic and inflammatory changes. Combined deficiency caused the most severe injury, involving the epithelium, gastric glands, lamina propria, vascular bed and proliferative activity of the mucosa.