Exclusion of cellular iron and reduced gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity in rat pancreas acinar cell hyperplastic nodules and adenomas induced by azaserine.

Rat acinar cells in the azaserine-induced hyperplastic nodules or adenomas in the siderotic pancreas produced by repeated iron injections were found to be resistant to iron accumulation. These iron-resistant acinar cell lesions coincided rather well with the lesions having markedly decreased activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. These properties of the acinar cells could be useful for the identification of early lesions in pancreatic carcinogenesis.