effects of experimental aflatoxicosis on the pancreas of adult male albino rats and the role of ginger supplementation: a histological and biochemical study

ABSTRACT

Aflatoxin contamination of foods is a worldwide problem, especially in developing countries. Ginger has antioxidant properties. To study the histological and biochemical changes in the pancreas of rats with experimental aflatoxicosis, and to evaluate the role of ginger supplementation. Forty-five adult male albino rats were equally divided into three groups. Group I that served as the control group. Group II that received 250 119/kg body weight/day of aflatoxin B1 dissolved in olive oil using a gastric tube for 5 days/week for 4 weeks. Group III that received both aflatoxin as in group II and 400 mg/kg body weight/day of ginger orally for 5 days/week for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, all rats were anesthetized, and their pancreases were extirpated and divided into two parts to be processed for light and electron microscopic examinations. Morphometrical analysis for area percentage of collagen fibers and biochemical analysis for glucose, insulin, and serum amylase were performed and statistically analyzed. Examination of group II revealed thick interlobular septa that contained congested blood vessels, cellular infiltration, mast, and fat cells. Pancreatic acinar cells showed decreased secretory granules, vacuolization, and dilated fragmented rough endoplasmic reticulum. Few acinar cells showed rarified areas of cytoplasm. Some acinar cells had small condensed heterochromatic nuclei. Most of the islets of Langerhans were formed of cells separated by dilated congested capillaries. Most of the nuclei of beta cells were euchromatic, whereas some were small heterochromatic. The cytoplasm of beta cells had a variety of secretory granules. Most of them had an electrondense core and an electron-lucent halo, whereas others had homogenous moderate density. Some granules coalesced. A few cells had cytoplasmic areas depleted of granules. Pancreatic ducts were dilated. Examination of group III revealed that pancreatic lobules were separated by thin interlobular septa. Acini had numerous apical acidophilic secretory granules, a few vacuoles, and basal euchromatic nuclei. Beta cells of the islets of Langerhans had euchromatic nuclei and numerous secretory granules with an electron-dense core and a wide electron-lucent halo. Biochemical analysis of glucose and serum amylase showed a highly significant increase, whereas that of insulin showed a highly significant decrease, in group II in comparison with group I. The glucose and serum amylase levels were significantly decreased, whereas the insulin level was significantly increased in group III compared with group II. Aflatoxin had a deleterious effect on the histological structure of the rats' pancreas, and ginger minimized these effects