ABSTRACT
Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is an autoimmune disease whose notorious pathologic feature is insulitis accompanied by destruction of beta-cells. In this morphological study, we examined the pancreatic events during the onset of diabetes in spontaneously diabetic BB/Organon rats. Dendritic cells were the first cells to accumulate around the islets, followed by lymphocytes. Scavenger macrophages and MHC class II-positive beta-cells were only seen late in the disease. These observations suggest a role for antigen-presenting dendritic cells in the onset of the beta-cell-specific autoimmune reaction and emphasize the necessity to distinguish between the several monocyte-macrophage subtypes in studies on the pathogenesis of IDDM.
Subject(s)
Dendritic Cells/pathology , Islets of Langerhans/pathology , Macrophages/pathology , Prediabetic State/pathology , Animals , Antibodies, Monoclonal , Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/pathology , Female , Lymphocytes/pathology , Male , Rats , Rats, Inbred BBABSTRACT
Cephalendra indica (41//v/v alcoholic extract of the wild variety of Cephalendra indica Naud.), on regular administration in doses ranging from 25uml to 75uml/100g of body weight (gbw) by the oral or intraperitoneal (ip) route produced a significant fall in blood sugar level in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Biochemical studies showed stabilization of blood sugar level in 70//of cases at fourteen to twenty days after withdrawal of the drug. Histopathological studies revealed regeneration of pancreatic B cells. The hypothesis is that the drug acts through the hypothalamo-hypophysial-pancreatic axis, producing selective regeneration of B cells. The drug may indirectly release inhibitory factors from hypothalamic neurons, inhibiting the secretion of growth hormone and triggering insulin secretions from B cells. The therapeutic action of the drug on pancreatic B cells and lack of acute and subacute toxicity may open up new prospects in the treatment of diabetes mellitus