Abstract

Experimental diabetes was produced in Sprague-Dawley rats by single dose of intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin, 50㎎/kg and sacrificed on the 15th, 45th, and 90th day. Blood glucose levels were 400㎎/㎗ in all groups (normal control: 120㎎/㎗) and serum amylase level of a group after 45 days was 621.1 IU of average, whereas 750.5 IU in normal control group. The cytoplasms of pancreatic acinar cells were closely packed withh minute hydropic vacuoles and numerous fat globules, measuring 0.5～1.0μ in diameter. Electron microscopic findings represented mitochondrial swelling with loss of cristae and indistinct outlines. Populations of free ribosome were increased, but the zymogen granules were reduced than those of control group. The above findings support that streptozotocin induces acinar cell injury in part through the direct chemical toxicity on mitochondria.