Histopathological Changes by Acetoacetate in Normal and Scorbutic Guinea Pigs.

Summary The islets of Langerhans of scorbutic guinea pigs and those injected with acetoacetate were hypertrophied. Injection of acetoacetate into scorbutic animals caused further degranulation and degenerative changes. Acetoacetate brought about hypertrophy of renal cortex and scurvy caused atrophy of glomeruli. Combined treatment aggravated these degenerative changes. Both scurvy and acetoacetate caused central degeneration of liver and this is enhanced by the combined treatment. In agreement with histologic changes, biochemical findings indicate the toxicity of acetoacetate. Acetoacetate may be a prime factor in clinical development of diabetes.