Further studies on the delayed mast-cell-mediated mitogenesis in diabetic rat

We have investigated whether the delayed augmented mast-cell-dependent mitogenesis that we recently demonstrated in the true mesentery of diabetic rats may occur also in a tissue which is essentially different both functionally and structurally. Cutaneous proliferation in insulin-deficient rats following a single intradermal injection of compound 48/80 was assessed by the specific DNA activity and mitotic index, on days 7 and 28 after giving streptozotocin. The proliferation variables, which ran parallel, indicated that mast-cell secretion was not followed by proliferation on day 7, whereas there was markedly augmented proliferation on day 28. Mitosis counting showed that cell production following mast-cell secretion was significantly increased not only in the entire cutis but also in epithelial structures (epidermis and epidermal appendages). These findings are closely similar to the delayed augmentation of mast-cell-dependent mesenteric mitogenesis in diabetic rats. It is concluded that there may be a general pattern of delay in the appearance of augmented mast-cell-mediated mitogenesis in rats with chemically induced diabetes. It is questioned whether or not this delayed mitogenesis may be connected with the postponed proliferation in a variety of tissues and organs (such as arteries, eyes, and kidneys) that occurs in experimental and clinical diabetes.