Effect of Alloxan on the Mouse Pancreas during and after Recovery from Diabetes

Abstract

Temporary diabetes was produced in mice by the intravenous injection of alloxan, 75 mg. per kilogram of body weight. The beta cells were degranulated within 6 hrs., but changes in microcirculation did not occur until 24 hrs., and did not appear to play arole in initiating damage to the beta cells. The total number of islets was decreased markedly within one week, but cellular proliferation of ducts and islets began as early as two weeks as indicated by in vivo study and radioautography. Improvement in the diabetic state, manifested by lowered blood glucose, coincided with restoration of a number of the islets. Although the total number of islets was not restored completely, the blood glucose values returned to normal, indicating that the new islets were functioning adequately. Replacement of the insular cells occurred solely by budding of new islets from the ducts,and no evidence of acino-insular transformation, or transformation of centro-acinar cellsinto beta cells, was found.

α-Cell Neogenesis in an Animal Model of IDDM

“…Replication of residual p-cells has been noted in a variety of experimental animal models in which p-cell mass has been depleted by the (3-cell toxins streptozotocin (STZ) or alloxan (28)(29)(30)(31)(32), or following sustained hyperglycemia induced by steroid (33). Data demonstrating islet neogenesis from ductal progenitors is, however, sparse in nontransgenic adult animals (28), but extensive in transgenic adult mice and STZadministered neonatal rats (34).…”

Acid Amyloglucosidase and Carbohydrate Regulation.

“…3) As has been shown by Bunnag, Warner and Bunnag (1967) and Rerup (1968) alloxan diabetic mice often recover from their diabetic condition after some time. The improvement in the diabetic state coinci-des with restoration of the islets; indeed 3 months after alloxan injection the number of islets had increased to more than 50% of the control level (Bunnag, Warner and Bunnag 1967). For this rea30n the alloxan diabetic mice in the present study were allowed to recover for about 8 weeks in order to ob-tain a colony of diabetic and subdiabetic animals with a significant number of functioning ß-cells.…”

Effect of alloxan on ultrastructural and hormonal changes of the endocrine pancreas with hormonal profiles of adrenal gland and their influence on carbohydrate metabolism in soft-shelled turtles,Lissemys punctata punctataBonnoterre

“…Pancreatic endocrine cells are regenerated by transformation of acinar or ductular epithelial cells in alloxan-treated rats and mice (Bunnang et al 1967). In alloxan treated mice clamping of superior mesenteric artery causes selective damage and neogenesis of B-cells (Waguri et al 1997).…”