A comparative histopathological study of pancreas, intestine, and liver of experimentally induced diabetes in rats

Abstract

For several decades, experimentally induced diabetes has been a cornerstone in the research field of this syndrome. Various methods have been applied to induce diabetes, such as chemical induction (by alloxan or streptozotocin), surgical induction (by pancreatectomy), special high-carbohydrate diets, and genetically diabetic animals (such as ob/ob mice). However, few studies have investigated the histopathological changes associated with different induction methods and compared these approaches. Therefore, we aim to investigate the common induction methods (alloxan, streptozotocin, and special diets) in adult male rats and compare the histopathological changes resulting from each method. Serum glucose monitoring confirms the induction of diabetes, and histopathological studies reveal a wide range of lesions in the pancreas (a significant reduction in the diameter and number of Langerhans islets), liver (necrosis, acute cell swelling, the presence of cellular debris, karyolysis, and vacuolar degeneration), and intestine (a significant reduction in the length and width of intestinal villi, and a diminished number of goblet cells). In conclusion, various approaches to induce diabetes in rat result in a wide range of histopathological lesions. Further investigation is needed to determine the most suitable method to induce diabetes and to assess the implications of these histopathological changes on the efficacy of treatments for diabetes.

Keywords

• alloxan
• diabetes
• diet
• rats
• streptozotocin