P>Objective To explore the effects of heroin dependence on expression of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP)and glucose transporter 2(Glut2) in islet β cells of rats, and to study the possible, mechanism of expression changes. Methods Sixty-six normal SD rats were divided into a normal control group (NCG), a saline control group (SCG) and a heroin dependence group (HDG). We established the heroin dependence model in rats by subcutaneous injection of heroin, and excision of the pancreas tails on 10 days, 17days, 24days, 31days and 38days. Tissues were assessed by immunohistochemical SABC, image analysis and morphometric methods in the study. Results The results of immunohistochemical staining showed that: 1. IAPP immunoreaction was localized in the cytoplasm of β cells,whereas Glut2 immunostaining was observed on the membranes of β cells; 2.As compared with the NCG and SCG, the immunoreaction of IAPP immunoreactive(IR) positive cells in HDG increased and the immunostaining of cells turned intensive, the numerical density on area also increased after the 24th day HDG (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the results of image analysis showed that the mean grey degree of IAPP-IR cells in HDG decreased as compared with NCG and SCG(P<0.05),especially on the 38th day; 3.The immunoreaction of Glut2 positive cells in HDG increased obviously and the results of image analysis showed that the mean grey degree of Glut2-IR cells in HDG. Decreased as compared with NCG and SCG (P<0.05), with the lowest degree on the 38th day. Conclusion By enhancing the synthesis and secretion of IAPP and Glut2, β cells of islets are involved in the regulation of body metabolic and carbohydrate metabolic processes