Effect of zinc deficiency on the ultrastructure of the pancreatic acinar cell and intestinal epithelium in the rat.

Ultrastructural changes in the pancreatic acinar cell and intestinal epithelium were studied in rats fed a zinc-deficient diet as compared with those of pair-fed and ad libitum fed zinc-supplemented controls. The pancreatic acinar cells of zinc-deficient rats showed marked cellular alterations: a reduction in zymogen granules, rupture of zymogen granules, basal accumulation lipid droplets, prominent lysosome-like bodies, focal degradation of the cytoplasm, and intracistenal granules within the dilated cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum. The Golgi complex appeared inactive, and nuclear pyknosis was noted. Defects in the endoplasmic reticulum and ribosomes were shown by their presence in the foci of cytoplasmic degradation, which were subsequently subject to lysosomal digestion and degeneration. The microvilli of the intestinal epithelium in the zinc deficient rats were well organized and normal in size, demonstrating a typical geometric array when cross-sectioned. The intercellular boundaries, the junctional complexes, and the terminal web were well developed and appeared intact. However, the cell cytoplasm showed prominent cellular changes: an abundance of lysosome-like bodies, membrane-bound autopraphic vacuoles, sparse endoplasmic reticulum, a quiescent-appearing Golgi complex with tightly packed lamellae containing few vacuoles, pyknotic nuclei, and a dilated nuclear periphery.