ABSTRACT
In a case of type I diabetes with a duration of 7 days the distribution and volume of the pancreatic endocrine cells were studied using immunocytochemical techniques combined with morphometry. The PP cell rich lobe, making up about 10% of the total pancreatic volume, was not considered in this examination. The volume density and the absolute volume of the B cells was found to be reduced to about one third to one seventh of the values determined in three controls of a similar age and pancreatic volume. The A cell volume was also diminished, whereas the D and PP cell volume remained constant. As B cell necroses could not be detected and insulitis affected only few islets, it was concluded that the destruction of B cells proceeds slowly in type I diabetes and, in the majority of cases, probably starts years before the clinical onset.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/pathology , Islets of Langerhans/pathology , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/metabolism , Female , Histocytochemistry , Humans , Insulin/metabolism , Islets of Langerhans/metabolism , Male , Time FactorsABSTRACT
The distribution and volume of the pancreatic endocrine cells were studied in a case of type 1 diabetes with a duration of approximately 7 days. Immunocytochemical techniques combined with morphometry were used. The PP-cell rich lobe, making up about 10% of the total pancreatic volume, was not included in this study. The volume density and the absolute volume of the B-cells was found to be reduced to about one third to one seventh of the values determined in four controls of similar age and/or pancreatic volume. The A-cell volume was also diminished whereas the D- and PP-cell volume remained constant. As B-cell necroses could not be detected and insulitis was in the initial stages of development it is concluded that the destruction of B-cells proceeds slowly in type 1 diabetes. In the majority of cases it probably starts years before the clinical onset of the disease.
