Selective lesions of acinar pancreatic cells in rats poisoned with abrin

Rats poisoned with abrin (2.5 micrograms/100 g body weight) died within 36 h with severe necrosis of acinar pancreatic cells. Incorporation in vivo of labelled amino acids into pancreatic protein was greatly impaired 6 h after poisoning. Microsomes isolated from the pancreas of poisoned rats at 6 h had a reduced capacity for protein synthesis in vitro. Incorporation in vivo of orotic acid into pancreatic RNA was decreased 12 h after poisoning.