title: Immunohistochemical and electron microscope studies of rat islets of Langerhans one month after adult thymectomy.
abstract: Ultrastructural and quantitative immunocytochemical studies of rat pancreata were carried out 1 month after adult thymectomy. The proportions of insulin-, glucagon-, and somatostatin-immunoreactive cells in the pancreas were estimated on paraffin sections using the unlabelled peroxidase-antiperoxidase method. Relative islet volume, islet size and number were determined on hematoxylin and eosin stained sections. A moderate increase of the islet volume on account of size was found in the pancreas of the thymectomized rats. The proportion of insulin-immunoreactive cells was also elevated. Ultrastructural studies showed a rich supply of secretory granules in most beta-cells. Mixed beta-endocrine-acinar cells were often observed. Mitotic figures were found in single beta-cells. The blood glucose level was in the normal range. The findings suggest a moderate stimulation of beta-cell secretory activity after thymectomy which is not associated with elevated blood glucose levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Histology, Medical Faculty Sofia, Bulgaria.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zafirova
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Petkova
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Atanassova
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Petkov
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Velkov
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bozhilova
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duhault
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lesourd
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002452:Cell Count; D005934:Glucagon / Q000032:analysis; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007328:Insulin / Q000032:analysis; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000032:analysis; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013934:Thymectomy
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D013004:Somatostatin; D005934:Glucagon