The expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)‎ in posterior lingual glands in normal and diabetic rats

Abstract EN

Diabetes results in a variety of oral health complications.

Among which is its effect on salivary glands that results in decreased salivary flow.

Diabetes effect on posterior lingual glands is an issue that deserves proper research.

Our aim is to investigate the effect of experimental diabetes on the histopathology of posterior lingual glands as well as on the change in the expression of α-SMA between normal and diabetic rats.

The studied groups included; control (I), un-controlled diabetic (II) & insulin-treated diabetic group (III).

Von Ebner salivary gland was obviously affected, while the Weber salivary gland was resistant.

The results demonstrated von Ebner salivary gland showing an alteration in its histology represented by inflammation, tissue fibrosis & atrophy.

It also showed the abnormal increase in the expression of anti-α-SMA antibody in untreated diabetes.

Both histopathological and immunohistochemical findings were nearly corrected by insulin treatment in the insulin treated group.

Conclusions; the alteration in the expression of α-SMA which was correlated to the histopathological findings may have an explanatory role in understanding the clinical effect of diabetes, as regards to the decreased salivary flow.