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Horm Metab Res 1970; 2(3): 166-171
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1095088
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© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Intracellular Digestion and Structural Variations of Secretory Granules in Pancreatic Islet β-Cells[*]

An Ultrastructural Study on Diabetic and Non-Diabetic RodentsL.  Boquist
  • Institute of Pathology, University of Umea, Umea, Sweden
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Publication History

Publication Date:
08 January 2009 (online)

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Abstract

The pancreatic islet β-cells of Mongolian gerbils, diabetic and non-diabetic Chinese hamsters and spiny mice as well as American obese-hyperglycemic mice and their lean litter mates were ultrastructurally found to possess a minor portion of bar-shaped, fibrillar or irregular secretory granules in addition to the predominating rounded forms. In the cytoplasm of these cells there were dense bodies that contained structures interpreted as engulfed secretory granules, often with bar-shaped or irregular variants. The significance of these findings is discussed.

Key words

β-Cells - Secretory Granules - Granulolysis - Mongolian Gerbil - Chinese Hamster - Spiny Mouse

1 This work was supported by grants from the S edish Medical Research Council (Project No. B69-12X-718-04A).

1 This work was supported by grants from the S edish Medical Research Council (Project No. B69-12X-718-04A).