Open AccessPancreatic Islets after Repeated Injection of Fe 3+ ‐NTA An Ultrastructural Study of Diabetic Rats
Author(s) -
Shirasuga Naoki,
Hayashi Keiki,
Awai Michiyasu
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
acta patholigica japonica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.73
H-Index - 74
ISSN - 0001-6632
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1827.1989.tb01495.x
Subject(s) - endoplasmic reticulum , ultrastructure , islet , intraperitoneal injection , pancreatic islets , chemistry , endocrinology , lumen (anatomy) , medicine , pathology , pancreas , golgi apparatus , diabetes mellitus , biology , biochemistry
Pancreatic islet cells were examined ultrastructurally in rats after repeated intraperitoneal injections of ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe 3+ ‐ NTA) to produce a model of bronze diabetes. Despite diabetic signs such as glycosuria and ketouria, no ultrastructural alterations were found in islet cells up to 90 days after the beginning of the Fe 3+ ‐NTA injections. After 120 days, however, degenerative changes appeared, with most B cells of the islets of Langerhans showing clumped nuclear chromatin, a dilated nuclear envelope, vacuolated and dilated endoplasmic reticulum, and a loss of cell polarization toward the capillary lumen. The cells contained a number of light secretory granules with an electron‐lucent core and a narrow halo. Numerous electron‐dense ferritin‐like particles were also found in the cytoplasmic matrix, and A and D cells were almost intact. Repeated venesection therapy of rats injected with Fe 3+ ‐NTA for 120 days resulted in an increase of morphologically normal B cells with a smaller number of necrotizing cells. This process was accompanied by recovery from diabetic symptoms. The toxic effect of injected iron on B cells was thus clarified.