MICROSCOPIC STUDY OF THE INTRAPANCREATIC GANGLIA AND ITS EFFECT ON THE ENDOCRINE AND EXOCRINE PART OF RAT PANCREAS

M. H. AL-Muhtaseb*, Afnan Z. Zetawi and Hussam H. Alhawari

ABSTRACT

Pancreas is an important endocrine and exocrine organ which plays a mandatory role in nutritional hemostasis. The intrapancreatic ganglia is a very important structure which works like a small brain for a rapid control of diet metabolism and any defect in the intrapancreatic ganglia may lead to hormonal imbalance and malfunctioning of the pancreas leading to many diseases. The purpose of this study is to point out the normal histology and location of the intrapancreatic ganglia and its critical function in controlling both the exocrine and ductless parts of the pancreas. So, the main objectives of this study are as follows; i) To conduct a detailed microscopic structure by the examination of intrapancreatic ganglia within the rat pancreas…ii) To determine the location and changes in the intrapancreatic ganglia after surgery and their effects on the endocrine and exocrine parts of the pancreas…iii) To explain the potential role of the intrapancreatic ganglia as a reflex center in regulating metabolic changes in the pancreas. In this study, twelve adult albino rats of both sexes were used. Divided into control and experimental groups. the location and normal histology of the intrapancreatic ganglia were studied in the control and the experimental groups which had sympathectomy and vagotomy. Measurements of the changes in the fasting blood glucose levels and glucose tolerance tests in the control and experimental animals were recorded three weeks after vagotomy and sympathectomy. Degenerative changes were observed in the intrapancreatic ganglia after surgery. Also, the blood glucose level after surgery were increased significantly.

Keywords: Rat pancreas; Intrapancreatic ganglia; Microscopic study; Vagotomy and Sympathectomy.