MICROMORPHOLOGICAL ALTERATIONS IN THE PANCREAS OF RATS FED DIFFERENT HIGH-CALORIE DIETS AND EFFECTS OF REPLACING SUCROSE WITH STEVIOL GLYCOSIDES

The study aimed to evaluate micromorphological alterations in the pancreas of rats fed different high-calorie diets and the effects of replacing sucrose with steviol glycosides. Six groups of rats were fed different diets for five weeks: standard diet (SD), high-fat diet (HFD), high-carbohydrate diet (HCHD), high-fat high-carbohydrate diet (HFHCHD), standard diet plus E960/RA60 (SDRA) and high-fat diet plus E960/RA60 (HFDRA).Histological studies demonstrated normal architecture of the pancreas in SD and SDRA groups. In the HFD group, clusters of large adipocytes were visible around blood vessels and in the interlobular connective tissue. In the HCHD group, dilations of sinusoid capillaries were seen in the endocrine islands. In the HFHCHD group, dilated blood vessels and ducts were found in the parenchyma. The acinar cells contained zymogen granules. In the HFDRA group, dilatations of the ducts and sinusoid capillaries in the islets were found. The acinar cells seemed swollen and contained small vacuoles.