An Electron Microscopic Study of the Pancreas and Parotid Gland of Rats with Experimental Acute Pancreatitis

Electron microscopic observations of the parotid gland and the pancreas were done on rats with acute pancreatitis, obstructive jaundice, ileus or peritonitis produced as reported previously. In acute pancreatitis the ultrastructural changes noted in the parotid acinar cell were an irregular arrangement of the acinar cells associated with atrophy, decrease in number of secretory granules, dilatation of cisternae of the granular endoplasmic reticulum and appearance of lipid droplets. In other sets of experiments, however, these ultrastructural changes were not noted; the appearance of lipid droplets was the only finding in the obstructive jaundice produced by ligation of common bile duct at the hilar portion of liver. The ultrastructural features of the parotid acinar cells in the experimentally produced pancreatitis were compatible with histological findings previously reported. It is conceivable that the ultrastructural changes, except appearance of lipid droplets, in the parotid gland are induced by pancreatitis. The results of the present study provide additional evidence for the close relationship between pancreas and parotid gland.