title: The pattern of neural elements in the islets of normal and diseased pancreas and in isolated islets.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The association between islet cells and neural elements, the so-called "neuro-insular complex", has been known for centuries.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We examined the expression of beta-III tubulin, in normal pancreases from organ donors, surgical specimens of chronic pancreatitis, surgical specimens of ductal type carcinoma, isolated and purified islets of a 57-year-old male and the pancreases of adult Syrian golden hamsters by immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal antibody to beta-tubulin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the normal pancreas of humans and hamsters, beta-III tubulin was expressed in alpha- and beta-cells, but not in PP cells, neural fibers and gangliae. Occasionally, intra-and peri-insular neural elements were also found. In chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer samples, the number of beta-cells and the immunoreactivity of the beta-III tubulin antibody in islet cells were decreased in most cases. In cultured human islets, devoid of neural elements, no correlation was found between the expression of beta-III tubulin and islet cell hormones.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Beta-III tubulin is only expressed in the islets derived from the dorsal pancreas and in neural elements. In chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer swelling of intra- and peri-insular nerves occurs, possibly in response to the loss of beta-cells. The secretion of insulin and the expression of beta-tubulin seem to be regulated by nerves.
authors: UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA. ppour@unmc.edu
authors: Parviz M
authors: PM
authors: Pour
authors: Murat
authors: M
authors: Saruc
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D006224:Cricetinae; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000294:innervation* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus; D008875:Middle Aged; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology*; D010179:Pancreas / Q000166:cytology* / Q000294:innervation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D014404:Tubulin / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014404:Tubulin