Age-related effect of treatment by hydrocortisone upon the histological structure of endocrine pancreas and on the blood glucose in normal and diabetic young rats.

In three different age-groups (30-, 45- and 60-day-old) of normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats the histological aspect of the endocrine pancreas and the blood glucose content were followed under basal conditions and against the background of hydrocortisone treatment (for 5 days with daily doses of 0.250 mg/100 g b.w.). It was established that in normal rats hydrocortisone affects characteristically the structure of pancreatic islets, but not glycemia homeostasis. In diabetic animals hydrocortisone aggravates the streptozotocin induced beta-cell damages of pancreatic islets and accentuates the diabetic hyperglycemia, depending on the age of individuals.