Endocrine System

Pancreatic Islets - Necrosis

Narrative

Comment:

Necrosis of beta cells in pancreatic islets has been associated with zinc deficiency and with xenobiotics that bind zinc. Affected beta cells are typically shrunken and hypereosinophilic with pyknotic nuclei. The loss of beta cells can leave empty vacuoles (Figure 1).

Recommendations:

When present, this change should be diagnosed and graded. Severity grading is determined by the number of islets affected and the magnitude of the necrosis. Associated lesions, such as inflammation, should be diagnosed separately if warranted by severity.

References:

Haschek WM, Rousseaux CG, Wallig MA. 2010. Fundamentals of Toxicologic Pathology. Academic Press, New York, 251-259.

Abstract: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/book/9780123704696

Riley MGI, Boorman GA, Hayashi Y. 1990. Endocrine pancreas. In: Pathology of the Fischer Rat: Reference and Atlas (Boorman GA, Eustis SL, Elwell MR, Montgomery CA, MacKenzie WF, eds). Academic Press, San Diego, 545-553.

Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nlmcatalog/9002563

All Images

Pancreatic islet - necrosis. Dropout of individual islet beta cells appears as clear vacuoles in a female F344/N rat from a chronic study.

Authors and Reviewers

Authors

Robert R. Maronpot, DVM, MS, MPH, DACVP, DABT, FIATP
Senior Pathologist
Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC

Georgette D. Hill, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Toxicologic Pathologist
Assistant Pathology Program Manager
Integrated Laboratory Systems, Inc. Research Triangle Park, NC

Reviewers

Thomas J. Rosol, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Professor of Veterinary Biosciences
Senior Advisor, Life Sciences, Technology Commercialization and Knowledge Transfer
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH

Amy Brix, DVM, PhD, DACVP
Senior Pathologist
Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC