Zur Enzymhistochemie des Pankreas der Sandratte (Psammomys obesus) nach calorisch differenter Ernährung

Immunohistochemical investigations of the endocrine pancreas in normoglycemic sand rats (Psammomys obesus)

A morphological analysis of the endocrine pancreas in the normoglycemic sand rat (Psammomys obesus) has been carried out and the immunoreactivity for insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) studied. The islets of both parts of the pancreas (pancreatic head and tail) investigated were of the 'mantle' type: centrally located B-cells and A-, D- and PP-cells at the periphery. In the 'glucagon islets' (tail of pancreas) predominated the A-cells, while the PP-cells were more abundant in the "PP-islets' (head of the pancreas).

Ultrastructure of the neuro-insular complexes in the pancreas of sand rats (Psammomys obesus)

The ultrastructure of the nervous elements in Langerhans islets of Psammomys obesus has been studied. A great variety of neural structures present in the islets has been described: neuroganglion-, enterochromaffin- and satellite Schwann cells (neuro-insular complexes type I) and cholinergic, adrenergic and peptidergic nerve fibers (neuro-insular complexes type II) in direct contact with the endocrine cells. In the pericapillary space typical neuro-vasal endings of neurosecretory type have been described. The islets of Langerhans and some of the endocrine cells have a total or partial glial sheath. These findings support the thesis of the paraneuronal nature of the endocrine cells of the Langerhans islets.