Amyloidosis of the pancreatic islets and diabetes mellitus

Pancreas was examined in 136 patients who died at the age of 7 to 89 years of various diseases including 22 with diabetes mellitus. Amyloidosis of its islands was observed in 9 patients (aged 49 and over); 6 out of them suffered from diabetes mellitus. Number of islands with amyloidosis and amyloid quantity were determined morphometrically. Glucagon-producing A-cells and insulin-producing B-cells in the islands not involved in amyloidosis were counted in sections impregnated by Grimelius. It is found that the development of diabetes is determined not only by the islands amyloidosis but by the quantitative domination of A-cells over B-cells in the islands without amyloidosis as well being the manifestation of aging processes.