ISSN:
1432-0428
Keywords:
Somatostatin
;
diabetic Chinese hamsters
;
islet cells
;
A1-cells
;
glucagon
;
insulin
;
hypothalamus
;
stomach
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The inhibitory effects of somatostatin on the release of insulin and glucagon, as well as its localization to the A1-cells (D-cells) of the pancreatic islets, suggest a role of this peptide in carbohydrate metabolism. In the present study we have measured the percentage islet volume, the total weight of the A1-cells and the somatostatin concentration in the pancreas of normal and spontaneously diabetic Chinese hamsters. In addition, the concentration of somatostatin in the stomach and hypothalamus as well as the insulin and glucagon content of the pancreas were evaluated. The percentage islet volume in the normal hamsters was 0.66±0.12, which was in marked excess of that in the diabetic group, 0.38±0.04. Similarly, the total weight of the A1-cells in the controls, 0.17±0.02 mg, was significantly larger than that in the diabetic animals, 0.12±0.02 mg. In agreement with these findings there was also a decreased pancreatic concentration of insulin and somatostatin, whereas the glucagon concentration was in the normal range. Also the stomach of the diabetic hamsters showed a decreased concentration of somatostatin. In the hypothalamus the total content of somatostatin appeared similar in the two groups of animals, but when expressed per mg wet weight this value was also decreased in the diabetic hamsters. These observations strongly suggest that, in the diabetic Chinese hamster, apart from the well-known B-cell deficiency there exists also a decreased functional activity of the somatostatin-producing cells.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01234497
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