Histopathological Study on Liver Changes in Genetically Diabetic Mice (KK Strain)

Abstract

Liver changes were observed in KK-strain mice from an age of 1 day to 20 months.
1. Fatty degeneration: Biphasic changes were observed in the liver of KK mice. In an early phase, the hepatic cells were filled with uniform fine fatty droplets and the cytoplasms showed a foamy appearance. This occurred for a short period from 1 day to 3 weeks after birth, and gradually decreased in number of fatty droplets, and returned to normal by 4 weeks after birth. In a later stage, at an age of over 4 months, irregular fatty droplet infiltration of the centrolobular hepatic cells was nearly always accompanied by an elevation of the blood sugar level. After the age 10 months, the blood sugar level descended to an almost normal level. This latter fatty degeneration, however, was noted continuously.
2. Nodular changes (hepatocellular adenoma): The hepatic cells showed irregular sizes after the age of one or two months. In over 4 month-old mice, nodular hyperplasia was observed. These changes were noted in all animals at the age of over 17 months. Microscopically the nodule showed a picture equivalent to that of hepatocellular adenoma.