Recovery of exocrine pancreas six months following pancreatitis induction with L-arginine in streptozotocin-diabetic rats

The aim of the present work was to investigate the laboratory and morpholog ic alterations in the pancreas 6 months after pancreatitis induction with L -arginine (Arg) in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. The amyla se content of the pancreas was significantly decreased in the Arg-treated g roups vs, the control group. No significant changes were observed in the DN A, soluble protein and lipase contents of the pancreas. In the STZ-treated groups, the serum glucose level was significantly elevated, whereas the ser um immunoreactive insulin (IRI) level was significantly decreased vs. the c ontrol group. In these treated groups, the amylase content of the pancreas was also significantly decreased, but that of trypsinogen was significantly elevated vs. the control group. Histologic sections revealed periductal fi broses, adipose tissue and tubular complexes in the Arg-treated rats, but c entroacinar hyperplasia was not observed in these groups. No alterations we re observed on histological examination in the diabetic rats vs, normal rat s 6 months following pancreatitis induction. In conclusion, a major restitu tion of the pancreatic enzyme content, but moderate histologic alterations were detected 6 months following pancreatitis induction with Arg. The diabe tic state appeared to shift the normal pancreatic enzyme content (decreased amylase and increased trypsinogen) in this long-term study, but not to mod ify the recovery of the exocrine pancreas 6 months following Arg-induced pa ncreatitis. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. Published by Editions scientifiq ues et medicales Elsevier SAS.