PANCREATIC HISTOLOGY AND ASSOCIATED BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES IN RATS ON HIND‐LIMB SUSPENSION

The pancreas plays an important role in regulating many of the key endocrine hormones and digestive enzymes that are required for nutrition and survival of the organism. This study examines the pancreatic histology and associated biochemical changes in rats on hind limb suspension (HLS) after exposure to simulated microgravity. Results show that MDA and glutathione levels were significantly increased in the suspended (HLS) groups as compared to the control group. Plasma insulin levels averaged 2.43±0.32 ng/ml in the control animals and decreased significantly to 1.47±0.24 ng/ml in the suspended group. Histopathology revealed increased vacuolation, pyknosis, membrane thickening, increase of zymogen granules and increase in islets (both in size and number) in the suspended group as compared to the control group.