A new histopathological phenomenon: Pancreatic islet cell loss in the elderly population

We observed the phenomenon of pancreatic islet cell loss (ICL) in our previous histopathological study. Multiple studies have reported that a decrease in β-cells is correlated with diabetes or chronic pancreatitis. Few studies have reported ICL in a healthy population.

Thirty-three pancreatic tissue samples were obtained from cadavers (age: 65-104 years) who had never been diagnosed with any pancreatic diseases before death. The pancreatic body sections were used for an immunohistochemical study of pancreatic islet cells, and area calculations were performed using ImageJ to determine the degree of ICL and islet cell proportions.

The proportion of β-cells showed a downward trend as the degree of ICL increased (r=-0.414, P = 0.011), and the proportion of women with severe ICL was significantly higher than that of men with severe ICL (P = 0.016). The probability of severe ICL decreased with age in the population over 70 years of age (P = 0.069, linear correlation). Severe ICL may be associated with higher pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia lesions (P = 0.059).

The phenomenon of ICL in the elderly population was mainly due to pancreatic β-cell reduction. It may be one of the direct causes of age-related diabetes.