title: Evaluation of protective effect of propolis on parotid salivary glands in gamma-irradiated rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  One of the most significant side effects of radiotherapy for head and neck cancers is xerostomia as a result of salivary gland damage. Considering pharmaco- logical effects of propolis, we evaluated its protective effect on salivary glands subjected to radiotherapy of head and neck cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one male albino rats (8-11 W, 190 ± 5 gm) were divided into three groups of seven animals. Scintigraphy was performed in all the groups. Then groups 1 (S) and 2 (SR) received normal saline injections and group 3 (PR) received propolis injection over 3 days. After that groups 2 and 3 were exposed to gamma radiation and all the rats underwent scintigraphic assessment on third day and 70th day after irradiation. The lips and tongues of rats in groups 2 and 3 were examined for mucositis daily in first 10 days. At the end, the parotid glands of all rats were examined histologically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Scintigraphy results of third and 70th day after irradiation showed statistically significant differences between PR and SR as well as SR and S. However, there was no significant difference between the PR and S groups. Histopathologic assessment demonstrated significant difference between SR, PR and S.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that propolis has protective effects on salivary gland function in animal models whilst it did not prevent radiation-induced histologic changes in tissues. Further investigations are needed to elucidate mechanisms of propolis actions. Clinical significance: Regarding to the results of this study, propolis may be useful in reduction xerostomia due to radiation to salivary glands and may be helpful for head and neck cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial, Dental Material Research Center, Dental School, Babol University of Medical Sciences Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Mina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Motallebnejad
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Mohammad
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Abedi
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Dental Material Research Center, Dental School, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seyedmajidi
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Moghadamnia
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ashrafpour
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine, Dental School Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salehi
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncologist, Department of Radiology and Radiation Therapy, Shahid Rajace Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Moslemi
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine, Dental School Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghorbani
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D000818:Animals; D003239:Connective Tissue Cells / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005720:Gamma Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008046:Lip / Q000528:radiation effects; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D009929:Organ Size; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011429:Propolis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018987:Salivary Ducts / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014059:Tongue / Q000528:radiation effects; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D011429:Propolis