RAT PANCREATIC B-CELLS AFTER CHRONIC ALCOHOL FEEDING - A MORPHOMETRICAND FINE-STRUCTURAL STUDY

Quantitative analysis of the light microscopic and fine structure of r at islet B-cells was carried out in chronic alcoholism. Absolute pancr eatic weight and volume were similar in groups C (control) and E (etha nol), but relative pancreatic weight in group E rat was decreased. The results for fasting blood glucose and insulin levels were similar in the two groups of animals. There was a significantly reduced total pan creatic islet volume in E rats. The total number of endocrine cells bo th per islet and per mu m(2) of islet was similar in the two groups of animals. The volume density and number of B-cells per islet and per m u m(2) of islet were not changed in ethanol-treated rats as compared w ith the control. On the other hand, diameter, surface area and volume of the B-cells and their nuclei were found to be statistically signifi cantly decreased. Histological examination revealed that islet blood v essels were dilated in alcoholic rats, Over the 4-month period of etha nol intake a significant decrease in cell profile area, nuclear profil e area and volume density of cytoplasmic granules and an increase in t he profile area and volume density of endoplasmic reticulum occurred. The gross histological alteration seen in most B-cells of the ethanol- treated rats was irregularity of the nuclear envelope with deep invagi nation and with margination of heterochromatin and many empty granules or granules without clear electron dense crystals of insulin. The pre sent results indicate some optical and structural abnormalities of B-c ells in chronic alcoholism that may be related to cell dysfunction and may contribute, at least in part, to the endocrine pancreas functiona l disturbance.