Pancreatic atrophy

Dreef-van der Meulen HC, Feron VJ, Til HP. 1974. Pancreatic atrophy and other pathological changes in rats following feeding of stannous chloride. Pathol Europ 9 185-192. 

The course of pancreatic fibrosis in rats induced by dibutyltin dichloride was studied 2-36 weeks after single i.v. treatment of rats with dose of 6 or 8 mgkg-1. The pancreatic fibrosis induced by Bu2SnCl2 differs from other experimental models of acute pancreatitis. Extensive infiltration is present in fibrotic areas without pancreatic atrophy or lipomatosis. The presence of chronic inflammatory lesions characterized by the destruction of exocrine parenchyma and fibrosis, and in the later stages the endocrine parenchyma, indicates a chronic pancreatitis45. 

There may also he an effect of selenium deficiency on vitamin E nutrition. Selenium deficiency causes a specific pancreatic atrophy, which is unresponsive to vitamin E supplements. In turn, this leads to impaired secretion of lipase, and hence impaired absorption of dietary lipids in general that will affect the absorption of vitamin E (Thompson and Scott, 1970). 

Studies with animals have revealed an interesting pattern of relahorLships involving Se and vitamin E nutrition. In chicks, experimentally induced deficiencies in both S5e and vitamin E result in exudative diathesis, muscular dystrophy, and pancreatic atrophy. The first two problems can be prevented by vitamin E... 

The close relationship between Se and vitamin E has a biochemical basis. Vitamin E acts to minimize damage to membranes inflicted by free radicals. Selenium (GSH peroxidase) acts to prevent the accumulation of HCXDH, which is a source of hydroxy radicals. Hydroxyl radicals can damage cell membranes, as well as other components of the cell. Damage that is more closely identified with Se than with vitamin E, such as pancreatic atrophy, may be caused by HOOH-in-flicted damage to soluble components of the cell, rather than damage to cell membranes. The converse situation also holds. For cxaniplc, vitamin E deficiency in rats produces fetal resorptions. This problem cannot be prevented by Se. 

Pancreatic atrophy has been reported in rats force-fed a tryptophan-devoid diet.14... 

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