Age and changes in the proportions of cells in the pancreatic islets of the human pancreas

Morphometric investigations of the pancreas have been performed in 74 persons died from different disease at the age from birth up to 85 years. In sections impregnated after Grimelius the amount of argyrophil glucagon-producing A-cells has been counted, as well as in non-impregnated sections--insulin-producing B-cells. Total mass of the islets in the pancreas have been calculated, with a special reference to A- and B-cells and their quantitative relationships. There is not any significant differences of these parameters in men and women. At the same time, a regular increase in A-cells with age is noted, which together with a slight decrease in B-cells results in certain changes in ratio between A- and B-cells. With age, these changes produce a decreased tolerance to glucose, and predominance of A-cells over B-cells results in diabetes mellitus. This is proved when the results of the morphometric investigations are compared with those of intravital studies on glucose contents in blood.