ANTRAL ENDOCRINE-CELLS IN NONOBESE DIABETIC MICE

The antral endocrine cells were investigated in nonobese diabetic (NOD ) mice by means of immunohistochemistry, image analysis, and radioimmu noassays (RIA). As controls BALB/CJ mice of the same age and sex as th e NOD mice were used. The number of gastrin- and somatostatin-immunore active cells was significantly decreased in both prediabetic and diabe tic mice. There was no statistical difference between the NOD mice and controls regarding the serotonin-immunoreactive cells. Somatostatin l evels as revealed by RW in the antrum of both prediabetic and diabetic NOD mice were lower than those of the controls. There was no statisti cal difference in the level of antral gastrin between NOD mice and the controls. It was concluded that the changes in antral cells are prima ry to the onset of diabetes, and that the abnormalities observed in th e antral cells in an animal model for diabetes type I might have relev ance for the upper gastrointestinal dysfunction displayed in human dia betes.