Effects of L - arginine versus exercise on acinar and beta-cells of pancreas in high-fat diet-fed albino rats: a histological and immunohistochemical study

Fatty acids and glucose are the main nutrients in energy metabolism and of particular interest in metabolic diseases as they may cause obesity. This work aimed to study the histological effect of Larginine versus exercise on acinar and beta-cells of pancreas in high-fat diet-fed albino rats. Forty adult male albino rats were divided into group I and group II. Group I served as the control group. Rats of group II were further classified into high fat chow (HFC), HFC+ exercises (EXC) and HFC + L-arginine (Arg) subgroups. After 12 weeks, rats were anesthetized and the pancreas was dissected out. Specimens were processed and examined by light and electron microscopy. HFC subgroup showed increased serum glucose, insulin and triglycerides. There was highly significant increase in mean body weights, pancreatic weights, and mean area % of insulin immunoexpression. Acinar and beta-cells showed irregular and dilated rER, damaged mitochondria, cytoplasmic vacuoles and few zymogen granules. Also, pancreatic stellate cells and neutrophils could be seen. Exercise improved many histological changes due to HFC, whereas the effect of Larginine was more pronounced. In conclusion, L-arginine can be used as a safe and effective way to protect pancreas from fatty changes.