Zinc: does it have radioprotective effect on major salivary glands?

Abstract

AimTo evaluate the radioprotective effect of zinc on the major salivary glands with histopathological examination after high doses of radioiodine (131I).MethodsSixteen Wistar albino rats were divided into two groups, eight animals in each group. Three mCi 131I was administrated to each rat in the 131I group (Group 1). Zinc was started via gastric gavage two days before 131I administration and was continued for five days after 131I therapy in the zinc group (Group 2). Twenty-four hours after the last dosage of zinc, the animals were sacrificed and the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands were removed bilaterally for histopathological examination. Oedema, vacuolization, panacinar inflammation, necrosis and atrophy in acinar epithelial cells; periductal fibrosis, periductal infiltration, and periductal leakage in interstitial space; duct ectasia and squamous metaplasia in the ductal system; and sclerosis and stenosis (fibrin thrombi) in the vascular system were evaluated in slices.ResultsLevels of oedema, vacuolization, panacinar inflammation, necrosis, atrophy, periductal fibrosis, periductal inflammation, periductal leakage, ductal ectasia, squamous metaplasia, and sclerosis and stenosis were lower in the zinc group in all glands, except for the level of periductal inflammation in the submandibular gland. But these results were not statistically significant, except for atrophy in the sublingual gland. In the submandibular gland, atrophy was seen significantly less in the zinc group when compared with the control group.ConclusionAll of the histopathological changes were at a lower level in the zinc group in all of the glands, except for periductal inflammation in the submandibular gland. This result may show the beneficial effect of zinc on early damage of 131I.

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