Light and Electron Microscopic Studies on the Cytological Changes in the Rat Pancreatic Islets Induced by Sodium Diethyl Dithiocarbamate (DEDTC) Administration

Abstract

The effect of sodium diethyl dithiocarbamate (DEDTC) administration upon the structure of the pancreatic islet cells has been examined in the rat. In light microscopy, the aldehyde fuchsin stainability of the B cell granules was found to increase notably at 6 h and thereafter following the medication. In electron microscopy, the B cell granules with a porous core were shown to predominate over those with a homogeneous core containing paracrystalline structures between 30 min and 3 h following the medication. Between 6 and 12 h following medication, occasional B cells were seen to be provided with large secretory granules with a porous core. The results of the present study have been discussed with special reference to the chelating action of DEDTC.