Histopathologic changes in the rabbit submandibular gland after 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy
To determine the early-stage effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on the histology of the submandibular gland. Materials and methods: The study included 30 New Zealand rabbits. They were divided into 3 groups. No drugs were administered to group 1 (control group), and 5-FU was administered for 5 days to group 2 and for 10 days to group 3. Submandibular gland excision was then performed. Histopathological examination was performed with hematoxylin-eosin staining, apoptosis was determined based on TUNEL staining, and cell proliferation was examined using the PCNA antibody. Results: While no granular change was seen in group 1, granular change was observed in the acinar cell cytoplasm in 5 rabbits in group 2 and in 5 rabbits in group 3 (P < 0.05). The rate of apoptosis in the acinar and ductal cells was higher in group 3 than in groups 1 and 2, according to TUNEL staining (P < 0.05). While no cellular proliferation in the acinar cells was observed with PCNA staining in any of the groups, there was a statistically significant difference in group 3 in ductal cellular proliferation, as compared to groups 1 and 2 (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Toxic effects of 5-FU were observed after 10 days. We suggest that a standard animal model can be developed based on group 3 results. We also think that drug trials concerned with protecting the salivary gland from the effects of chemotherapy can be conducted based on this model.
Histopathologic changes in the rabbit submandibular gland after 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy
To determine the early-stage effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on the histology of the submandibular gland. Materials and methods: The study included 30 New Zealand rabbits. They were divided into 3 groups. No drugs were administered to group 1 (control group), and 5-FU was administered for 5 days to group 2 and for 10 days to group 3. Submandibular gland excision was then performed. Histopathological examination was performed with hematoxylin-eosin staining, apoptosis was determined based on TUNEL staining, and cell proliferation was examined using the PCNA antibody. Results: While no granular change was seen in group 1, granular change was observed in the acinar cell cytoplasm in 5 rabbits in group 2 and in 5 rabbits in group 3 (P < 0.05). The rate of apoptosis in the acinar and ductal cells was higher in group 3 than in groups 1 and 2, according to TUNEL staining (P < 0.05). While no cellular proliferation in the acinar cells was observed with PCNA staining in any of the groups, there was a statistically significant difference in group 3 in ductal cellular proliferation, as compared to groups 1 and 2 (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Toxic effects of 5-FU were observed after 10 days. We suggest that a standard animal model can be developed based on group 3 results. We also think that drug trials concerned with protecting the salivary gland from the effects of chemotherapy can be conducted based on this model.