Effect of sulfur dioxide exposure on histopathology and morphometry of pancreatic islet cells and glycemic indices in Wistar rats

Soltan-Abad, Razieh Musapour; Kheirouri, Sorayya; Abbasi, Mehran Mesgari; Alizadeh, Mohammad; Khordadmehr, Monireh

Effect of sulfur dioxide exposure on histopathology and morphometry of pancreatic islet cells and glycemic indices in Wistar rats

2021

Soltan-Abad, Razieh Musapour | Kheirouri, Sorayya | Abbasi, Mehran Mesgari | Alizadeh, Mohammad | Khordadmehr, Monireh

Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is a ubiquitous air pollutant. Recent studies suggest that SO₂ is a momentous risk factor for diabetes mellitus (DM). The present investigation aimed to evaluate the effects of SO₂ exposure on histopathology and morphometry of pancreatic islet cells and serum glycemic indices in rats. Sixteen male Wistar rats were divided equally into SO₂ and control groups. SO₂ group was exposed to 10 parts per million (ppm) SO₂ for 5 weeks (6 days a week, 3 h/day) and control group to filtered air for the same time as SO₂ group. Blood serums were collected and pancreatic tissue isolated. Glycemic indices were measured. Pathological and morphometric changes were studied in the pancreatic tissues. Exposure to SO₂ caused a significant increase in blood glucose but did not significantly change insulin and HbA1c serum levels and HOMA-IR. There were significant differences in vascular congestion (p= 0.02) and insulitis (p= 0.04) between the groups. SO₂ inhalation significantly reduced beta cell number and beta-alpha cell ratio compared with the control group (p=0.03 and p<0.0001, respectively). These findings suggest that SO₂ exposure damages pancreatic tissue which subsequently influences either the incidence of DM or the trend of diabetic complications.

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