Alterations in pancreatic structure and function in the copper-deficient rat

Journal Article · Thu Feb 09 04:00:00 EST 1989 · FASEB Journal (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology); (USA)

OSTI ID:6832870

Majumdar, A P.N.; Yu, G S.M.; Dubick, M A ^[1]

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1. VA Medical Center, Allen Park, MI (USA)

The present study examines biochemical and morphological changes of the exocrine pancreas in nutritional Cu deficiency. Groups of rats were fed a diet either deficient or sufficient (6.2 ppm) in Cu for 6 wk. Cu deficiency resulted in distinct ultrastructural changes in acinar cells marked by variability in zymogen granule content and the presence of autophagic vacuoles and cell debris. Fusion of zymogen granules with these vacuoles was also observed. In dispersed pancreatic acini isolated from Cu-deficient rats, secretion of trypsinogen, chymotrypsinogen and amylase was significantly lower than in control acini following stimulation by CCK-8 (100 pM), secretin (1 {mu}M) or carbachol (7.5 {mu}M). Further investigation did not suggest that Cu deficiency affected CCK-8 binding to receptors in pancreas. Basal enzyme release was not affected by Cu deficiency. These data further support our observations that a marginal Cu deficiency affects exocrine pancreatic structure and its responsiveness to physiological secretagogues.

• OSTI ID: 6832870
• Journal Information: FASEB Journal (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology); (USA), Journal Name: FASEB Journal (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology); (USA) Vol. 3:3; ISSN FAJOE; ISSN 0892-6638
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOCHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS
BODY
COPPER
DIET
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
ELEMENTS
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
FUNCTIONS
GLANDS
KINETICS
MAMMALS
METALS
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY
ORGANS
PANCREAS
RATS
REACTION KINETICS
RODENTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHANGES
VERTEBRATES