Histophysiology of the obesity-diabetes syndrome in sand rats

Insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and PP cells were found by immunotopochemical and electron-optical techniques in the islets of Langerhans of the sand rat, proving that the islets in this species also contain the four basic cell types known to be found in the islets in mammals in general. The ratio of A cells to B cells was 1:4 (19.1% A cells to 80.9% B cells). The pancreas of the sand rat contained assemblages of various numbers of neurons in the intralobal and interlobular connective tissue. They did not seem related in any regular fashion to specific blood vessels or branches of the pancreatic ducts. No bundles of nerve fibers were found by either light or electron microscopy. Nonmyelinated nerve fibers were detected by electron microscopy in the stroma of the islets. In the sand rat the neuroinsular complexes are formed by the penetration of single nerve cells into the pancreatic islets. In the NH or long-term group the islets exhibited signs of stimulation. The number of islets was higher than normal (polynesia), with the islets themselves enlarged (macronesia). Double islets in the secretory ducts of the exocrine pancreas were frequent. The increase in islet size was due to hyperplasia of the B cells. The numbers of beta-granules in the B cells varied considerably. Glycogen was demonstrated in some islets. The fusion of beta-granules was shown in electron microscopic pictures. The electron-opaque centers of these granules were brighter than the others and appeared to have partly dissolved. The organelles of the B cells (ER, Golgi apparatus, and mitochondria) were well developed, this also being a sign of cell stimulation. No changes were observed in the B and PP cells. Stimulation of the islet cells was even more pronounced in the diabetic group. Due to hyperplasia, the islets in this group were significantly larger not only than those in the control group, but also than those in the NH group. The pancreata of this group of sand rats contained numerous small islets. Although necrotic B cells were found in the large islets of the pancreas, none were discovered in the small islets. The small islets were considered to be "regenerated" islets. Granulation was slight in the remaining functioning B cells. The hypophyses of the control group contained the GH, LTH, FSH, LH, and TSH cell types typical of this organ in other species. In the sand rat the granules of these cell types are of about the same size as has been stated for other rodents.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)