STEREOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF RAT ENDOCRINE PANCREAS AFTER CHRONIC ALCOHOL FEEDING

A stereological study was carried out to analyse pancreatic endocrine A-, B-, and D-cells (immunostained by the PAP procedure) in 10 rats ch ronically consuming ethanol and 10 rats fed an isoenergetic standard d iet for 4 months. The entire area of parenchymal Tissue, including isl ets, was measured using a point-counting procedure. All islet profiles within the section were counted; their profile area, volume and numer ical density, and the total volume were determined by point-counting, and their major and minor axes were measured. Morphometric measurement of the fetal number of A-, B-, and D-cells per isfet and per mu m(2) of islet, as well as volume and surface density of cell and nucleus we re made. A standard stereological equation were used to calculate the above parameters. The mean diameter of the blood vessels was calculate d from the formula ($) over bar D = 6Vv/Sv, and their mean length from the formula L = 4Vv/ pi ($) over bar D. The results obtained showed t hat chronic alcohol feeding significantly decreased the total volume o f islets; the surface area, diameter and total volume of A-cells; all parameters investigated for B-cells, and surface area of D-cells. The volume fraction of islet blood vessels was significantly increased, as well as the diameter and length of islet blood vessels.