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Diabetes is a health burden in various countries, one of these countries, is also Indonesia. Dragon fruit peel is an alternative diabetes therapy that has been widely studied. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate an antidiabetic effect of dragon fruit peel methanol extract on alloxan-induced diabetic male Wistar rats. This experimental study used twenty-five male Wistar rats induced by alloxan injection. After 48 hours, all rats were grouped into five different groups, including control (0.5% SCMC), standard (Metformin), Dragon Fruit Peel Methanol Extract-1 (500 mg/kg BW), 2 (750 mg/kg BW), and 3 (1,000 mg/kg BW). These treatments were given for two weeks. After that, all rats were dissected to obtain the pancreas. The results showed that dragon fruit peel methanol extract significantly decreased blood glucose levels after the 7th and 14th days (P value

Background: Diabetes mellitus-induced hyperglycemia increases oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokine production, which play a significant role in the damage and apoptosis of pancreatic β cells. Therefore, the administration of medications that can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation plays an important role in diabetes treatment. Objective: To probe the Clinacanthus nutans leaf extract effect on oxidative stress and inflammatory markers and the Langerhans islet area in diabetic rat models. Design: An experimental laboratory in the animal model. Methods: Twenty-five diabetic rat models were randomly assigned into 5 clusters. Clusters 1, 2, and 3 were administered with C. nutans leaf extract in aqueous suspension with vehicle 1% Na-CMC at 75 mg/kg body weight (BW), 150 mg/kg BW, and 300 mg/kg BW, respectively. Cluster 4 was diabetic control rats administered with metformin at a 21 mg/rat dose. Cluster 5 was a control diabetic rat only administered with 1% Na-CMC suspension. Treatment was administered orally for 14 days. On the 15th day, the rats were sacrificed to obtain blood samples and pancreatic tissues. Serum interleukin (IL)-6, malondialdehyde (MDA), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Histopathological examination was performed by counting the Langerhans islet areas. Results: The average IL-6, MDA, and TNF-α levels declined in the cluster receiving C. nutans extract and were significantly different from the untreated cluster (P <.05). Histopathological examination revealed a significant upsurge in the Langerhans islets area in diabetic rats receiving C. nutans extract at doses of 75 and 150 mg/kg (P <.05). Conclusion: C. nutans leaf extract reduced the serum MDA, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels, and increased the Langerhans islets area in a diabetic rat model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Great losses of cattle and other ruminants due to Eurytrema pancreaticum have been recorded in Indonesia and other countries in Southeast Asia. The objective of this study was to examine histo-logical alterations after E. pancreaticum infection in cattle. This study analysed the pathological changes of pancreas in 153 cattle sampled randomly at slaughterhouses in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Samples were obtained during one year as part of routine meat inspection. The samples of cattle pancreas were obtained from slaughterhouse in Banda Aceh and examined for eurytrematosis. The number of infected pancreases was 64 out of 153 (41.8%). The pancreases indicated some alterations including macroscopic colour changes of the pancreatic capsular surface, followed by the produc-tion of mucus on the surface. Some adult flukes were found in the capsular surface of the pancreas together with fluke eggs. The dissected pancreases were prepared for histopathological study for each segment, and then observed under microscope. The implications of findings from histopa-thologic analyses of the pancreas are discussed.

Great losses of cattle and other ruminants due to Eurytrema pancreaticum have been recorded in Indonesia and other countries in Southeast Asia. The objective of this study was to examine histological alterations after E. pancreaticum infection in cattle. This study analysed the pathological changes of pancreas in 153 cattle sampled randomly at slaughterhouses in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Samples were obtained during one year as part of routine meat inspection. The samples of cattle pancreas were obtained from slaughterhouse in Banda Aceh and examined for eurytrematosis. The number of infected pancreases was 64 out of 153 (41.8%). The pancreases indicated some alterations including macroscopic colour changes of the pancreatic capsular surface, followed by the production of mucus on the surface. Some adult flukes were found in the capsular surface of the pancreas together with fluke eggs. The dissected pancreases were prepared for histopathological study for each segment, and then observed under microscope. The implications of findings from histopathologic analyses of the pancreas are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the morphological changes and clinical chemistry panel of alloxan-induced diabetic rats for the treatment groups of ethanol or aqueous extracts of Mongolian natural Inonotus obliquus. Methods: Wistar albino rats (n = 80) were randomly assigned into four groups: 1. Healthy control group, 2. Untreated diabetic group, 3. Diabetic group treated with Inonotus obliquus (500 mg/kg per day) water extract, 4. Diabetic group with Inonotus obliquus (500 mg/kg per day) ethanol extract. Diabetes was induced by alloxan 150 mg/kg (single intraperitoneal injection) in the diabetic groups. Results: Both water and ethanol extract of Inonotus obliquus reduced the blood glucose level of diabetes at 48 h after treatment. Histologic and morphology examinations showed that water extracts of Inonotus obliquus alleviated the damage to pancreas tissues in alloxan diabetic rats. Conclusions: We postulate that simple ethanol and water extracts of natural Mongolian Inonotus obliquus have an antihyperglycemic effect that enhances islet cell function in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The extracts of Mongolian natural Inonotus obliquus are easily producible at low cost and should be further explored as a treatment for diabetes.

From among a great number of digestive system diseases in domestic animals there is pancreatitis which is caused by an early zymogenesis in the acinar cells. The problem of studying the structural organization of a pancreata in sick cats is topical because of a progressive spreading of pancreatitis in domestic animals. Thus, the purpose of the research was to study out the morphological changes of cats pancreata under acute pancreatitis. Working with vertebrate animals we were guided by “European Convention for the Protection of Vertebtate Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes” (Strasbourg, 1986). The results of the histological examination of cats pancreata under acute pancreatitis show some pathological changes both in endocrine and exocrine pancreas. Such changes were manifested in necrosis of exocrine pancreatitis as well as in spreading and swelling of acinar space, that testified to the infancy of an inflammatory process. Some dystrophic changes, followed by karyolysis, were found in the focus of tissue nicrosis. Pancreatocyte cytoplasm was cloudy, its basal and apical zones were obscure, clearly defined interstitial tissue swelling was found between the particles and unequal swelling was found inside the particles. Intercellular space was exaggerated. Morphometrically in a group of sick animals was detected an increase in specific weihgt of stromal component (р

Diabetes Mellitus cause oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is the main contributor of the pathogenesis of tubular damage. Black garlic (Allium sativum L) contain antioxidant such as polyphenol and flavonoid can regenerate the cell of Langerhans islets and the kidney tubular in rats with diabetes mellitus model. To indentify the effect of black garlic (Allium sativum L.) extract on the cell of Langerhans islets and the kidney tubular microscopy in rats models of diabetes mellitus. This research is True Experimental with post-test only control group design. The samples were divided into 4 groups. Control group was given alloxan 24 mg/0,3 ml, group 1, 2, and 3 were given 24 mg/0,3ml and black garlic (Allium sativum L.) extracts at dose 0,15, 0,3, and 0,6 (ml/200gBW/day). Treatment was given orally per day within 14 days. Statistical analysis used Post Hoc and t-test. Results was found significant of differences (p<0.05) in each group of treatment and control group. Pancreas histopathological description of rat showed that there was improvement as indicated by average total of cells endocrine in Langerhans islets and showed there is effect of black garlic extract on the decrease of hydropic degeneration in the kidney tubular cells. Black garlic (Allium sativum L.) extract given effect on the kidney tubular microscopy and Langerhans Islet in Male Wistar Rats (Rattus norvergicus) Models of Diabetes Mellitus [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An adequate experimental model is important to understand pathophysiological processes ongoing in the pancreas with diabetes mellitus. Our study was aimed to describe early ultra- and microstructural changes in the rat pancreas in 12–48 h after alloxan administration in a dose of 180 mg/kg. A histopathological examination of the endocrine pancreas revealed the loss of borders between endocrine cells, granular dystrophy and degranulation, sings of necrosis in central cells of the Langerhans islets and apoptosis of their peripheral ones manifested as DNA fragmentation and an increased expression of apoptosis markers. There was a gradual increase of a Langerhans islet area, a decreased percentage of insulin+ cells and an increased one of glucagon+ cells, as well as the presence of proliferating islet cells were found. Structural changes of the exocrine pancreas included fatty degeneration, signs of exocrine cell mitochondrial damage, increased acini, which are located mainly around the Langerhans islets, as well as perivascular edema and leukocytic infiltration. Described ultra- and microstructural alterations suggest a significant contribution of apoptosis to death of endocrine cells exposed to alloxan. Coexisting damage of the exocrine pancreas with its stroma involvement is for the first time described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a method is proposed to reduce immunological response of immune system against Langerhans islets by PEGylation of islets combined with adjuvant therapy. For this purpose, the best composition for a mixture of succinimidyl valeric acid activated mPEG (mPEG-SVA) with different molecular weights (MWs) and for a mixture of succinimidyl carbonate activated mPEG (mPEG-SC) with different MWs was determined separately. Then, the effect of pentoxifylline (PTX) as an adjuvant drug on immunological response against PEGylated islets at best mPEG composition was studied. The extent of mPEGs reaction, the amount of interlukin-2 (IL-2) and perforin secretion, and the viability of lymphocytes and islets in homo and co-cultures in the presence of PTX at different concentrations were considered for thein vitroevaluation of the proposed method. It was found, that a mixture of mPEG-SVA with MWs of 10 and 5 kDa at a composition of 75 and 25%, respectively, was the best formulation. Also, the addition of PTX drug to co-culture medium increased the protection of PEGylated islets against immune system and a concentration of 75 μg mL−1of PTX was suitable for islet protection with no adverse effect on immune cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Salvianolic acids are the most abundant water-soluble compounds extracted from the herbSalvia miltiorrhizaL. (Lamiaceae) with antioxidant and protective effects. Objective: This study evaluates the antidiabetic effect of salvianolic acid B (Sal B) in multiple low-dose streptozotocin (MLDS)-induced diabetes in rat. Materials and methods: Rats were divided into control, Sal B40-treated control, diabetic, Sal B20-, and Sal B40-treated diabetic groups. Sal B was daily administered at doses of 20 or 40 mg/kg (i.p.), started on third day post-STZ injection for 3 weeks. Serum glucose and insulin level and some oxidative stress markers in pancreas were measured in addition to the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), histological assessment, and apoptosis determination. Results: After 3 weeks, treatment of diabetic rats with Sal B20 and Sal B40 caused a significant decrease of the serum glucose (p < 0.05–0.01) and improvement of OGTT. Meanwhile, serum insulin was significantly higher in Sal B20- and Sal B40-treated diabetics (p < 0.01) and treatment of diabetics with Sal B40 significantly lowered malondialdehyde (MDA) (p < 0.05), raised glutathione (GSH) (p < 0.05), and activity of catalase (p < 0.01) with no significant change of nitrite. Furthermore, the number of pancreatic islets (p < 0.05) and their area (p < 0.01) was significantly higher and apoptosis reactivity was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the Sal B40-treated diabetic group versus diabetics. Discussion and conclusion: Three-week treatment of diabetic rats with Sal B exhibited antidiabetic activity which is partly exerted via attenuation of oxidative stress and apoptosis and augmentation of antioxidant system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Environmental noise is a known stressful factor that induces alterations of various physiological responses in the exposed individuals. It is known very little about the effect of prenatal noise stress on the serum glucose, lipids and morphology of Langerhans islets in neonatal rats. Objectives: In the present study the effect of chronic noise stress on hyperglycemia and lipid profile and morphology of Langerhans islets in neonatal rats, has been investigated. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 8 Wistar pregnant rats were exposed chronically to intermittent white noise during their pregnancy periods (dark cycle, 7 pm - 7 am). Stressed puppies bred under before condition up to 3 months of age. Then both groups were sacrificed. Serum glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol levels were determined at first week, 4th and 12th weeks after birth. Morphology of Langerhans islets in mature rats was evaluated using Gomori staining method. Results: Noise did have a significant hyperglycemic effect at 4th and 12th in rats. In addition, serum LDL-cholesterol levels in noise group significantly increased as compared to control group. Also, noise affected group showed significant difference with control group regarding level of serum triglyceride and total cholesterol. Regarding histology of Langerhans islets, noise affected group showed a lower number and granularity of beta cells and also periphery of Langerhans islets are significantly reduced as compared to control group. Conclusions: Noise has a significant hyperglycemic effect and increase lipid profile, also leads to appropriate changes in serum lipids in neonatal and postnatal rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regional distribution, relative frequency, and appearance of glucagon (A-cell)-, insulin (B-cell)-, somatostatin (D-cell)-, gastrin (G-cell)-, and serotonin (EC-cell)-secreting cells in the endocrine and exocrine pancreas of Van cats were examined using the immunohistochemistry method. Glucagon immunopositive A-cells were principally found in the central region of the islets of Langerhans, while insulin immunopositive B-cells were located in the periphery of the pancreatic islets. Moreover, several A- and B-cells were observed as only single cells or clusters of 2 to 3 immunopositive cells in the exocrine parenchyma and the pancreatic duct epithelium. Somatostatin and gastrin immunopositive reactivities were negligible in the peripheral regions of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans and in the exocrine parenchyma. However, serotonin-immunopositive EC-cells were observed in neither the endocrine islets nor any other sites of the tissue. The existence, regional distribution, and relative frequency of A-, B-, D-, G- and EC-cells in the pancreas of Van cats have been analyzed in this study for the first time. The immunopositivity and distribution of endocrine cells in the Van cat pancreas were determined to be partially different from those of other carnivorous species such as dogs and other cats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isolated Langerhans islets represent a useful model for the study of the endocrine pancreas. The possibility to purify pancreatic beta cells from a mixed Langerhans islet cell population may lead towards a dedicated focus on beta cell research. We describe an effective and rapid immunomagnetic technique for the direct purification of beta cells from isolated Langerhans islets of rat. After the sacrifice of the rat, the Langerhans islets were separated by ductal injection of the pancreas with collagenase, altered to a mixed Langerhans islet cell population and incubated with conditioned immunomagnetic beads targeted to the beta cell surface. The beads were previously coated with a specific antibody against the surface of the beta cell, namely K14D10. The suspension of mixed Langerhans islet cells and immunomagnetic K14D10-conditioned beads was pelleted by a magnetic particle concentrator to isolate the bead-bound cells, which were finally suspended in a culture medium. The purified cells were immunoreactive for insulin and no glucagon-positive cells were detected at immunocytochemistry. Real Time PCR confirmed the purification of the pancreatic beta cells. This immunomagnetic technique allows a rapid, effective and consistent purification of beta cells from isolated Langerhans islets in a direct manner by conditioning the immunomagnetic beads only. This technique is easy, fast and reproducible. It promises to be a reliable method for providing purified beta cells for in vitro research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Modifying the surface of living cells with specially selected polymers is a new method of protecting them from the immune system. Covalent attachment of polyethylene glycol (PEG) derivatives on the capsule of pancreatic islets in aqueous media under moderate conditions is an example. This study aimed to find out whether higher polymer concentration could protect PEGylated islets from immune systems more efficiently without affecting their viability and morphology. Methoxy polyethylene glycol succinimidyl carbonate (mPEG-SC) with molecular weight of 5 kDa at different concentrations was grafted onto islets capsules. It was found that at polymer concentrations higher than 22mg/mL, islets lost their viability with changes in their surface structure as compared to free islets. At mPEG-SC concentrations less than 22 mg/mL, there was no change in morphology and viability of PEGylated islets, but PEGylation of islets at polymer concentration 7mg/mL was not sufficient for their camouflaging. Polymer concentration of 22 mg/mL was more effective in weakening the immunogenicity of islets. It was concluded that increasing the 5kDa mPEG-SC concentration up to 22mg/ml protected islets from the immune cells more efficiently without affecting their viability and functionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on mouse study findings, pancreatic islet cells are supposed to lack basement membrane (BM) and interact directly with vascular endothelial BM. Until now, the BM composition of human islets has remained elusive. Immunohistochemistry with specific monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies as well as electron microscopy were used to study BM organisation and composition in human adult islets. Isolated islet cells and function-blocking monoclonal antibodies and recombinant soluble Lutheran peptide were further used to study islet cell adhesion to laminin (Lm)-511. Short-term cultures of islets were used to study Lutheran and integrin distribution. Immunohistochemistry revealed a unique organisation for human Lm-511/521 as a peri-islet BM, which co-invaginated into islets with vessels, forming an outer endocrine BM of the intra-islet vascular channels, and was distinct from the vascular BM that additionally contained Lm-411/421. These findings were verified by electron microscopy. Lutheran glycoprotein, a receptor for the Lm α5 chain, was found prominently on endocrine cells, as identified by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, whereas α3 and β1 integrins were more diffusely distributed. High Lutheran content was also found on endocrine cell membranes in short-term culture of human islets. The adhesion of dispersed beta cells to Lm-511 was inhibited equally effectively by antibodies to integrin and α3 and β1 subunits, and by soluble Lutheran peptide. The present results disclose a hitherto unrecognised BM organisation and adhesion mechanisms in human pancreatic islets as distinct from mouse islets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to alleviate the shortage of human donors, the use of porcine islets of Langerhans for xenotransplantation in diabetic patients has been proposed as a solution. To overcome rejection, we have developed a procedure for protecting the islets by combining them with Sertoli cells and placing them in a novel subcutaneous device, that generates an autologous collagen covering. A type 1 diabetic woman was closely monitored for 10 months, and then transplanted in two devices with two months of difference and a third time after 22 months. Here we present a three-yr follow-up. The close monitoring induced a rapid decrease in exogenous insulin requirements, which stabilized between 19 and 28 IU/d for nine months. After transplantation, the requirements reduced further to below 6 IU/d and for some weeks she was insulin free. Glycosylated hemoglobin levels decreased concomitantly. Porcine insulin could be detected in the serum after a glucose challenge and insulin positive cells inside a removed device after two yr. No complications have arisen and no porcine endogenous retrovirus infection has been detected through PCR and RT-PCR. This case demonstrates the feasibility of using the xenotransplantation of porcine cells to alleviate metabolic complications and insulin requirements in type 1 diabetic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The right and left lobes of the pancreas in the house musk shrew, Suncus murinus, were found to be completely separated. A morphologic study of the pancreas in S. murinus in terms of the blood supplies and innervation of the right and left lobes was performed in our previous study. It revealed clearly different blood supply and innervation patterns in the right and left lobes, suggesting that the right lobe of the pancreas corresponded to the ventral pancreas, and the left lobe related to the dorsal pancreas. To test this perspective from the histology, in this study, we investigated the immunolocalization of the cells of Langerhans islets in the pancreas of the animal. The distribution of insulin-, glucagon-, somatostatin-, and pancreatic polypeptide (PP)-secreting cells of the right and left lobes of the pancreas was examined in 10 animals. The glucagon-immunoreactive cells were distributed in both the right and left lobes. The PP-immunoreactive cells were extremely abundant in the right lobe and distributed throughout almost all the islets of Langerhans in the right lobe. By contrast, in the left lobe, immunoreactive PP cells were absent in the islets of Langerhans, and only very few immunoreactive PP cells were scattered in the exocrine parenchyma in part of the specimens. Therefore, these findings support our previous studies, and showed that the right and left lobes of the S. murinus pancreas could be related to an embryological origin from the ventral and dorsal pancreatic primordium, respectively, and that the S. murinus pancreas is suitable as a new experimental model to study the development of the human pancreas. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

orbate is a reducing agent, which is also known to oxidize cellular compoentns. Our proposed mechanism of the oxidative action is as follows: Ascorbate is concentrated in the pancreas and is leaked in adverse conditions, and oxidized to dehydroascorbate. The dehydroascorbate is carried into cells by a glucose transporter (GLUT) and reduced back to ascorbate. The reduction processes take electrons from other cellular components. Ascorbate or dehydroascorbate treatment elevated thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) concentrations in pancreas. The elevation in TBARS concentrations were blocked by cytochalasin B, a GLUT inhibitor. To confirm further the prooxidative action, changes in glutathione content were quantified. Glutathione concentrations were lower in ascorbate- or dehydroascorbate-treated groups. The ascorbate-induced decrease in glutathione was blocked by cytochalasin B. To prevent oxidation of ascorbate to dehydroascorbate, glutathione was added to the medium. The ascorbate plus glutathione and dehydroascorbate plus glutathione groups showed lower TBARS concentrations than those of the ascorbate and dehydroascorbate groups, respectively. There were changes in the morphology of Langerhans islets following ascorbate treatment, which disappeared following treatment with ascorbate plus cyto-chalasin B. The observations indicate that ascorbate generates oxidative stress and affects the structure of islets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microencapsulation of islets is considered to be a promising approach to the development of a bioartificial pancreas. In this study agarose was examined as a material to microencapsulate islets. By a low-temperature gelation tech nique, islets can be easily microencapsulated into agarose microbeads without any adverse effect on the functions of islets. Encapsulated islets in agarose microbeads maintained their intact round shapes during the entire period of culturing. They secreted 50-70 μU islet-1 day -1 insulin into the culture medium and regulated insulin secretion minute by minute in response to the change of glucose concentration even after 140 days of in vitro culture. The molecular weight permeability of agarose microbeads can be modulated by changing the agarose concentration. Agarose microbeads containing higher than 10 wt% can hinder the penetration of bovine serum albumin (M.W. = 67,000), and thus can protect islets from the attack of immunoglobulin. Hamster islets encapsulated in microbeads containing 11 wt% agarose were xenogenically transplanted into the peritoneal cavity of a diabetic mouse. Before the transplantation plasma glucose levels were higher than 400 mg dL-1. After transplantation plasma glucose levels were normalized within two days and the normoglycemic period was 29 days. Although more studies are needed to prolong this period for bioartificial pancreas function, agarose is a prominent basic material for en capsulating islets. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Simple Summary: The pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer-associated diabetes mellitus is poorly understood. We analyzed tumor infiltration into Langerhans islets and characterized it systematically for the first time, identifying four different main patterns of islet invasion. In a cohort of 68 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients, these islet invasion patterns were not related to occurrence of diabetes mellitus. However, severe islet invasion was associated with worsened overall survival. Background: Pancreatic cancer-associated diabetes mellitus (PC-DM) is present in most patients with pancreatic cancer, but its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Therefore, we aimed to characterize tumor infiltration in Langerhans islets in pancreatic cancer and determine its clinical relevance. Methods: Langerhans islet invasion was systematically analyzed in 68 patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) using histopathological examination and 3D in vitro migration assays were performed to assess chemoattraction of pancreatic cancer cells to islet cells. Results: Langerhans islet invasion was present in all patients. We found four different patterns of islet invasion: (Type I) peri-insular invasion with tumor cells directly touching the boundary, but not penetrating the islet; (Type II) endo-insular invasion with tumor cells inside the round islet; (Type III) distorted islet structure with complete loss of the round islet morphology; and (Type IV) adjacent cancer and islet cells with solitary islet cells encountered adjacent to cancer cells. Pancreatic cancer cells did not exhibit any chemoattraction to islet cells in 3D assays in vitro. Further, there was no clinical correlation of islet invasion using the novel Islet Invasion Severity Score (IISS), which includes all invasion patterns with the occurrence of diabetes mellitus. However, Type IV islet invasion was related to worsened overall survival in our cohort. Conclusions: We systematically analyzed, for the first time, islet invasion in human pancreatic cancer. Four different main patterns of islet invasion were identified. Diabetes mellitus was not related to islet invasion. However, more research on this prevailing feature of pancreatic cancer is needed to better understand underlying principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes is a common metabolic disorder that is specified by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. The use of nonpharmacological treatments (herbal agents) is a new approach in the management of diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of alfalfa on blood glucose and serum lipids in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. In this study, 32 female rats (210-250 g) were used which were divided randomly into 4 groups including intact control group, diabetic control group, and 2 diabetic groups which received 250 and 500 mg/kg doses of aqueous extract of alfalfa, respectively. In the diabetic groups, alloxan-monohydrate was injected peritoneally to create diabetic condition. The two last groups orally received aqueous extract of alfalfa for 21 days. At the end of experiment, sugar, cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density and low-density lipoprotein, and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT) and alanine aminotransferase (AST) levels were measured in the samples. Consumption of aqueous alfalfa extract significantly reduced glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in the diabetic rats but enhanced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. ALT and AST liver enzyme levels were also reduced in blood. Histological examination showed that the aqueous alfalfa extract caused reconstruction of damaged liver and enhanced Langerhans islets' diameter in pancreas. Therefore, all signs of diabetes were improved by oral administration of alfalfa in defined dose.