Pancreatic exocrine damage induced by subcutaneous injection of a low dosage of zinc

Author： Minami Takeshi Shimane Mika Tanaka Hidenori Namikawa Kiyohiro Ichida Seiji

ISSN： 0163-4984

Source： Biological Trace Element Research, Vol.84, Iss.1-3, 2001-12, pp. : 169-179

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to observe whether a low dosage of zinc induced mouse pancreatic injury. Dosages of zinc from 0.1 to 50 mg/kg were injected subcutaneously in mice, and plasma and pancreatic clinical parameters were observed 3–24 h after the injection. Plasma α-amylase activity increased 10 and 24 h after the injection of 25 or 50 mg/kg of zinc, whereas pancreatic α-amylase activity decreased 3 h after more than 5 mg/kg of zinc was injected. The activity recovered after 24 h except in the group injected with 50 mg/kg of zinc. The plasma glucose level did not change when less than 25 mg/kg of zinc was injected. The pancreatic zinc contents increased 3 h after more than 1 mg/kg of zinc was injected. The pancreatic metallothionein (MT) contents increased 6 h after the injection of 1 mg/kg of zinc. In addition, when more than 5 mg/kg of zinc was injected, the MT content increased at 3 h. In histochemical observations, cell damages such as fibrosis and necrosis were observed in pancreatic exocrine cells, but not in cells of Langerhans islets. From the present study, a single injection of a low dosage of zinc induces injury in pancreatic exocrine cells, but not endocrine cells.