Long-term salivary effects of single-dose head and neck irradiation in the rat.
The effect of a single dose of X-irradiation (either 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 or 15 Gy) to the head and neck region on parotid and submandibular gland function in rats was evaluated for up to 1 year. No animal receiving 15 Gy survived the entire study. Animals receiving > or = 7.5 Gy showed significantly less increase in body weight over time. Average wet weights of both gland types were reduced with as little as 2.5 Gy. Pilocarpine-stimulated parotid salivary flow was diminished significantly at 12 months for each radiation-dose group. Significant salivary flow reductions from submandibular glands were seen at > or = 7.5 Gy at this same time-point. These results show that a single radiation exposure of as low as 2.5 Gy to the head and neck region of rats can cause significant long-term alterations in salivary gland function.
Nagler
R M
RM
Gene Therapy and Therapeutics Branch, National Institute of Dental Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1190, USA.
Baum
B J
BJ
Miller
G
G
Fox
P C
PC
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000528:radiation effects; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006257:Head / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000528:radiation effects; D010277:Parasympathomimetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D010862:Pilocarpine / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013997:Time Factors
D010277:Parasympathomimetics; D010862:Pilocarpine