Summary
Tubular bodies of varying length and thickness are found in the cytoplasm of pancreatic islet B-cells of obese-hyperglycemic mice and a few of their lean litter mates. Most of these bodies are elongated with tapered ends. There are also some rounded or peculiarly formed variants. They are composed of numerous small electron dense tubular units, often in parallel arrangement. The tubules are embedded in a moderately dense matrix and their interior shows also moderate density. Smaller or larger electron opaque rounded particles are seen in some of the cytoplasmic bodies. Tubular bodies sometimes occur in association with mitochondria, indicating that they might be derived from these cellular organelles. Though the chemical composition and significance of the tubular bodies still are unknown, mitochondrial changes, possibly related to altered metabolic activity, are suggested to form the basis of their development.
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This work was supported by grants from the Swedish Medical Research Council (Project No. B69-12X-718-04A).
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Boquist, L. Tubular cytoplasmic bodies in pancreatic islet B-cells of mice. Z.Zellforsch 106, 69–78 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01027718
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01027718