Age-related decline in goblet cell numbers and mucin content of the human colon: Implications for lower bowel functions in the elderly : WestminsterResearch

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Title	Age-related decline in goblet cell numbers and mucin content of the human colon: Implications for lower bowel functions in the elderly
Type	Journal article
Authors	Baidoo, N. and Sanger, G.
Abstract	Background & aims Older people experience a greater incidence of lower bowel disorders, including constipation. Causes can include factors associated with growing older, such as use of medications or disease, but compounded by degenerative changes within the bowel wall. It has been suggested that the latter is exacerbated by loss of an effective mucosal barrier to luminal contents. In human colon, little is known about the impact of ageing on key components of this barrier, namely the goblet cells and mucin content. Methods Changes in the number of goblet cells and density of mucin content were investigated in macroscopically normal human ascending (AC; n = 13) and descending (DC; n = 14) colon from elderly (≥ 67 years) and younger adults (60 years and below). Samples were serially sectioned and stained for haematoxylin and eosin to assess tissue morphology, and alcian blue periodic acid Schiff (ABPAS) and MUC-2 antibody to identify goblet cells producing mucins. New procedures in visualization and identification of goblet cells and mucin contents were employed to ensure unbiased counting and densitometric analysis. Results Compared with the younger adults, the numbers of goblet cells per crypt were significantly lower in the elderly AC (72 ± 1.2 vs 51 ± 0.5) and DC (75 ± 2.6 vs. 54 ± 1.9), although this reduction did not reach statistical significance when assessed per mucosal area (AC: P = 0.068; DC: P = 0.096). In both regions from the elderly, numerous empty vesicles (normally containing mucins) were observed, and some areas of epithelium were devoid of goblet cells. Thus, the density of mucin content per unit mucosal area were significantly reduced with age. Conclusions Ageing could result in a reduced number of goblet cells and development of degenerative changes in mucin production. Together, these have implications for the mucus barrier function in the colon of elderly individuals.
Keywords	Ageing
	goblet cells
	Human colon
	Mucins
	Mucosal barrier
	Alcian Blue periodic acid Schiff
	MUC-2
Article number	104923
Journal	Experimental and Molecular Pathology
Journal citation	139
ISSN	0014-4800
Year	2024
Publisher	Elsevier
Publisher's version	Age-related decline in goblet cells - Published Paper.pdf License CC BY 4.0 File Access Level Open (open metadata and files)
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yexmp.2024.104923
PubMed ID	39154390
Web address (URL)	https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S001448002400042X?via%3Dihub
Published	17 Aug 2024
Supplemental file	S1 Table 1.docx Supplementary 2 (R2)- Reagent and consumables.docx File Access Level Open (open metadata and files)
Project	The ageing of gastrointestinal tract

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Age-related decline in goblet cell numbers and mucin content of the human colon: Implications for lower bowel functions in the elderly

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