Changes in the Count of Pancreatic b- and a-Cells and Blood Glucose Level in Rats with Alloxan-Induced Diabetes

We estimated the count of pancreatic alpha- and beta-cells and blood glucose level at various stages of alloxan-induced diabetes in rats. Alloxan decreased the count of insulin-producing beta-cells, but increased the number of glucagon-secreting alpha-cells in the pancreas (week 1 of diabetes). These changes were accompanied by hyperglycemia. The decrease in blood glucose level in diabetic rats was associated with an increase in beta-cell count against the background of high density of pancreatic alpha-cells.