title: Effect of diabetes mellitus on acinar morphology, peroxidase concentration, and release in isolated rat lacrimal glands.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the effect of diabetes mellitus on lacrimal gland morphology and function.
  
  
  METHODS
  The lacrimal glands of rats (n = 6) were removed 8 weeks after the onset of diabetes and processed for electron microscopy. The lacrimal gland of control rats (n = 6) were processed similarly. Lacrimal tissue samples of diabetic rats (n = 12) were also incubated with different concentrations (10(-6)-10(-3) M) of acetylcholine and noradrenaline to investigate secretagogue-induced peroxidase release. The lacrimal glands of control rats (n = 12) were treated in a similar manner.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Diabetic rats and their lacrimal glands gained significantly (p < 0.05) less weight compared to age-matched controls. Lacrimal acinar cells of diabetic rat have significantly (p < 0.001) smaller and more homogenous secretory granules compared to age-matched control. Lacrimal glands of diabetic rats contained significantly (p < 0.05) less peroxidase and secrete significantly less quantity (p < 0.05) of the enzyme in response to either acetylcholine or noradrenaline challenge compared to control glands.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that diabetes is associated with lacrimal gland insufficiency as a result of abnormal acinar morphology and reduced peroxidase content and secretion.
authors.affiliation: School of Forensic and Investigative Science, University of Central Lancashire, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Raksha
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.forename: Tariq
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saeed
authors.forename: Hameed
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rashed
authors.forename: Ernest
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Adeghate
authors.forename: Jaipaul
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007766:Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D022142:Secretory Vesicles / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D009195:Peroxidase