Histological Changes in the Pancreas of Wistar Rats Fed with Diets Containing Yaji (Local meat Sauce)

Abstract

The meat delicacy called 'Suya’ is native to the northern region of Nigeria but widely consumed across the country. It is served with its sauce called Yaji. His sauce is prepared by the physical mixture of spices that include clove, ginger, black pepper, and red pepper, as well as salt, magi cubes and groundnut powder. Records have shown that the individual active ingredients of substances have side effects when consumed in excess. This study seeks to determine the effect of Yaji (Suya sauce) on the histology of the pancreas in 20 rats. They were divided into 4 groups. Group D served as control while C, B and A received 10%, 20% and 30% of Yaji per kilogram of feed respectively at 71.3g of the feed per day for a period of 3 weeks. Comparison of the treated pancreas with those of the control animals indicated a pronounced histological alteration in the 30% and 20% treated animals. Necrosis of acinar cells occurred in group A with decrease in the number of beta cells. Enlarged acini was observed in B with distinct signs of capillary degeneration. In both A and B, the epithelial lining of the acini were discontinuous. C showed no distinct alteration except the stained colloids suggesting increase in secretion. C also showed distended duct. These histological alterations in A and B has shown that excessive consumption of Yaji can induce pancreatitis and diabetes mellitus.