Quantitative histochemical studies of islands of Langerhans in the (Psammomys obesus) in the development of diabetes mellitus. II. Surface measurement of the islands

: Measurement of the islet-area are pointed out in 30 sand rats. The animals are divided in 3 groups: 8 sand rats are the reference group, 11 animals are the IGT-group (impaired glucose tolerance), and the diabetic group consists also of 11 sand rats. The islet-area is in the IGT-group increased in 173.2%. It is concluded that the islet-volume is also increased. The diabetic group is characterized by the maximal increase of the islet area (431.4%). Hyperplasia of Langerhans' islets is detectable histologically. The sand rat is a biological model of the human non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).