Pancreatic hepatocytes in hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) infected with Trypanosoma cruzi.
Hepatocytic metaplasia may be induced in hamsters by carcinogens, and associated with aging, diabetes or chronic pancreatitis. By means of histopathologic and immunohistochemic studies, we observed pancreatic hepatocytes in hamsters infected and reinfected with Trypanosoma cruzi. The change was seen in 18 (19%) out of 94 infected animals, and was not found among 53 controls, Normal islet cells were immunoreactive for neuron-specific enolase and not reactive for NCL-HAS. Metaplastic cells were immunoreactive for NCL-HAS and not reactive for islet hormones and enolase. No relationship was observed between number of inoculations and metaplasia; however, the intensity of the inflammatory process and sequels seems to favor the development of metaplastic cells. Hamsters infected with T. cruzi may be useful to study hepatocytic metaplasia, and contribute to clarify aspects of Chagas' disease and pancreatic changes. Our data indicate that aging, in addition to inflammation and atrophy, plays a role in this change.
dos Santos
Vitorino Modesto
VM
Department of Internal Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
de Lima
Marcus Aurelho
MA
Cabrine-Santos
Marlene
M
Marquez
Daniela de Stefani
Dde S
Reis
Maria das Graças
Md
Pereira
Gilberto de Araújo
Gde A
Lages-Silva
Eliane
E
Ramírez
Luis Eduardo
LE
D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D006224:Cricetinae; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D008679:Metaplasia; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010179:Pancreas / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure