Islet neogenesis is stimulated by brief occlusion of the main pancreatic duct
Date
2004
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health & Medical Publishing Group
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Objective. Current models of islet neogenesis either cause substantial, pancreatic damage or continuously stimulate the pancreas, making these models unsuitable for the study of early events that occur in the neogenic process. We aimed to develop a method where the initial events that culminate in increased pancreatic endocrine mass can be studied. Design and methods: Ten 12-week-old female Wistar rats were subject to a midline laparotomy, the pancreas was isolated and the main pancreatic duct was occluded for 60 seconds. The pancreas was released and carefully relocated within the abdomen. Ten age, strain-and sex-matched control rats were subjected to a sham operation. The animals were killed 56 days post occlusion, and the pancreata excised and fixed for histological analysis. Body, pancreatic and hepatic weights were noted at termination and serum was taken for analysis. The endocrine-to-exocrine ratio was calculated and the number of endocrine cells in each islet from the sectioned pancreata was counted. Results. Occlusion of the main pancreatic duct for 60 seconds results in an increase in endocrine mass by 80% 56 days post occlusion. This constitutes an increase in endocrine units (1 - 6 cells), and in small (7 - 30 cells), medium (31 - 60 cells) and large (>60 cells) islet by 85%, 96%, 95% and 71% respectively. Conclusion. Brief occlusion of the main pancreatic duct results in an increase in pancreatic endocrine mass. An increase in endocrine units and small islet is indicative of islet neogenesis. Therefore, owing to the briefness of the stimulation, this model can therefore be used to study the initial events that occur during the neogenic process.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar
Description
The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
Keywords
Pancreatic islets, Pancreatic duct, Pancreatic regeneration