Poisoning with N-3-pyridylmethyl-N'-p-nitrophenylurea (Vacor). Immunoperoxidase demonstration of beta-cell destruction.

Abstract

A 49-year-old woman ate N-3-pyridylmethyl-N'-p'nitrophenylurea (PNU; Vacor) and was admitted to the hospital 12 hours later with a blood glucose level of 940 mg/dl and an anion-gap metabolic acidosis. Her diabetes was successfully treated, but she contained to manifest severe orthostatic hypotension. A painless ileus developed, followed by cecal perforation and death. Immunoperoxidase staining of paraffin-embedded pancreatic tissue obtained during postmortem examination clearly demonstrated the pancreatic beta-cell destruction. Results of this same staining technique also suggested that fewer alpha cells were present.

• Authors: R M Kenney, I A Michaels, N E Flomenbaum, G S Yu
• Journal: Archives of pathology & laboratory medicine (Arch Pathol Lab Med) Vol. 105 Issue 7 Pg. 367-70 (Jul 1981) ISSN: 0003-9985 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7018453 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Phenylurea Compounds
• pyriminil

Topics

• Brain (pathology)
• Cell Survival
• Colon (pathology)
• Female
• Humans
• Ileum (pathology)
• Immunoenzyme Techniques
• Middle Aged
• Pancreas (pathology)
• Peritoneum (pathology)
• Phenylurea Compounds (poisoning)