PERNICIOUS ANEMIA ASSOCIATED WITH DESTRUCTION OF THE PARIETAL CELLS OF THE GASTRIC MUCOSA PRODUCING THE INTRINSIC FACTOR

Abstract

Introduction: Pernicious anemia is a progressive autoimmune disease that alters the blood erythrocytic series as a result of malabsorption of vitamin B12. Objective: The objectives of this study were to describe the histology of the stomach with a focus on parietal cells and to correlate it with pernicious anemia. Method: A descriptive-discursive narrative review was carried out in textbooks and scientific articles from Google Scholar and PubMed. Results: The stomach is made up of four tunics, and in the mucosa pits are found that connect with the fundic glands, the site of the parietal cells, which produce intrinsic factor. This factor is essential for the absorption of vitamin B12, which is crucial for the formation and preservation of erythrocytes. Conclusion: The fundic glands of the gastric mucosa receive secretions from the parietal cells in their lumen, which, when destroyed by autoantibodies, lead to the absence of intrinsic factor, which inhibits the absorption of vitamin B12, triggering pernicious anemia.