Ultrastructural studies on a cadmium-storing cell in rat pancreatic tissues following cadmium chloride administration.

A new type of cell was found in the pancreatic connective tissues of rats following cadmium chloride administration. The cells contained several lipid droplets that were strongly electron-dense after the treatment with oxine, which made cadmium-oxine deposits. This suggested that the lipid droplets stored cadmium or related substances. These cells were named "cadmium-storing cells." Cadmium-storing cells are subdivided into two cell types according to their origins, "fibroblast type" and "pericyte type." The structure and function of the cadmium-storing cell were described and discussed.