PANCREATIC GANGLIONEURONAL AMYLOID - OCCURRENCE IN DIABETIC CATS WITH ISLET AMYLOIDOSIS

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  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 119  (3) , 430-435
Abstract
Amyloid in pancreatic ganglia and nerves (ganglioneuronal amyloid) was demonstrated in 4 of 8 diabetic cats with islet amyloid deposits. Eighteen nondiabetic cats (including 4 with islet amyloid) did not have detectable amyloid in pancreatic nerves or ganglia. Ganglioneuronal amyloid had staining characteristics identical to those previously reported for islet amyloid, including congophilia, resistance to oxidation by KMnO4, immunoreactivity (PAP [peroxidase-antiperoxidase] technique) with antiserum to a B-chain-rich insulin fraction and no reactivity with antisera to insulin, glucagon, or somatostatin. Non-neuronal cells with insulin, glucagon and somatostatin immunoreactivity were seen in many pancreatic ganglia and nerves; and in a few instances, B cells were found near ganglioneuronal amyloid deposits. The premise that these ganglioneuronal amyloid deposits (like islet amyloid) are insulin-related is supported by their immunoreactivity and antiserum to B-chain-rich insulin and the demonstration of B cells in pancreatic ganglia and nerves.