Irradiation protects against pancreatic islet degeneration and hyperglycaemia following streptozotocin treatment of mice.

Five daily injections of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg) produce islet inflammation, necrosis of pancreatic B cells and hyperglycaemia in the mouse. Anti-pancreatic autoimmunity has been suggested as part of the cause of these events. We have studied the possible effect of total-body irradiation in long-term studies (246 days) and report here that insulitis, islet necrosis and insulin depletion are reduced after irradiation. In parallel the level of hyperglycaemia is reduced. It is concluded that immunological mechanisms are to some extent responsible for the development of streptozotocin-induced diabetes.