Azaserine-induced pancreatic foci: detection, growth, labelling index and response to raw soya flour

Atypical acinar cell foci were induced in the pancreases of rats by injection of azaserine. An incubation period of 6 weeks was sufficient for the detection of all glutatluone S-transferase μ positive foci. In chow-fed rats, the labelling index of foci was 12-fold higher than normal pancreatic tissue. Feeding rats raw soya flour (RSF) for up to 20 weeks did not increase the number of foci per pancreas but did produce significant increases in labelling index and growth rate. In normal pancreatic tissue, the trophic response was complete after 4 weeks of RSF feeding