Spontaneous Diabetes-like Syndrome in WBN/KOB Rats

Spontaneous hyperglycemia, glycosuria, hypoinsulinemia, and glucose intolerance were observed in some WBN/Kob rats, at about 9 months of age, and in all at the age of 17 months. Females did not present this pathology. Histopathologic examination of the pancreas revealed severe changes in male rats at the age of 3 months. Between 3 and 6 months of age a distinct infiltration of inflammatory cells was found around islets and among adjacent acinar cells. At the same time, marked fibrosis was seen around the pancreatic ducts and blood vessels. With advancing age the fibrous tissue gradually invaded extensive areas of the pancreas where also the islets became involved in fibrotic degeneration. At 17 months of age and later, an obvious decrease in islet number and size (less than 50 mu in diameter) was observed, even in relatively unaffected areas of the organ. Frequent bilateral cataracts began to appear at about 15 months of age. Opacities were first observed in the periphery of the lens, then increased rapidly in intensity and extended centripetally. Nineteen-month-old male rats were hypersensitive to exogenous insulin, but showed no significant decrease in blood glucose level when treated with oral tolbutamide. These results suggest that these rats suffered from a decreased insulinogenic response.