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Comparative Study
. 2011 Sep;134(3):330-40.

Obesity associated pathophysiological & histological changes in WNIN obese mutant rats

Nemani Harishankar  1 , Putcha Uday Kumar, Boindala Sesikeran, Nappanveettil Giridharan
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Obesity associated pathophysiological & histological changes in WNIN obese mutant rats

Nemani Harishankar et al. Indian J Med Res. 2011 Sep.

Abstract

Background & objectives: WNIN/Ob (obese and euglycaemic) and WNIN/GR-Ob (obesity with impaired glucose tolerance), were isolated and established from Wistar rat stock (WNIN). Both strains showed physical, physiological and biochemical indices related to obesity. We present here haematology, histology and pathophysiological changes between the phenotypes of these strains, lean (+/+), carrier (+/-) and obese (-/-).

Methods: A total of 72 animals of equal gender consisting of three phenotypes were used for the study. Haematology, organ weights were measured and histopathology of the tissues studied using standard procedures. In 12 lean and obese rats (equal gender) of WNIN/GR-Ob group morphometry of pancreatic islets was done immunohistochemically (IHC).

Results: Obese rats of both the strains showed normal haematology (except low platelet count), but exhibited changes in the organ weights and in histopathology in organs like liver, kidney, brain and testis/ovary. Hyperplasia of adipocytes was seen in obese rats as compared to lean and carrier. IHC of obese rat pancreas showed that both islet density and volume were significantly (P<0.05) increased compared to lean littermates.

Interpretation & conclusions: The histological and pathophysiological changes seen in these mutants were in tune with obese phenotype exhibited by these animals.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Photomicrograph of lesions observed in various organs of WNIN/GR-Ob rats. (A) Focal areas of necrosis in liver; (B) Glomerular necrosis in kidney; (C) Follicles devoid of colloid in thyroid; (D) Pus cells in uterus cavity; (E) Cystic ovary with corporalutea. (Lesions represented by arrows).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Photomicrograph of immunohistochemistry details of pancreatic islets of WNIN/GR-Ob rats. (A) Islet density in lean; (B) Islet density in obese rats. (Islets represented by arrows).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Photomicrograph of ß - cell density in islet of WNIN/GR-Ob lean (A), and obese rats (B) (Number of ß - cell represented by arrows).
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