title: Diabetes causes morphological changes in human submandibular gland: a morphometric study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dataon structural alterations in human diabetic salivary glands are scanty and conflicting. The goal of this study is based on the evaluation of the morphological changes in submandibular glands of subjects with well-controlled diabetes and without evident salivary malfunctions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Submandibular gland pieces from diabetic and non-diabetic patients were fixed, dehydrated, and processed to obtain sections for light and electron microscopy. Randomly selected micrographs were statistically analyzed to reveal variations in serous acini.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Morphometrical evaluation allowed us to reveal significant changes such as enlargement of acinar and granule size, reduction of mitochondrial size, increased density of microbuds and protrusions along luminal membranes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that diabetes affects submandibular gland structure even when glandular function appears unaltered and suggest that morphological changes reflect functional changes chiefly regarding the secretory activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, CA, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Alberta
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lilliu
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Solinas
authors.forename: Margherita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cossu
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Puxeddu
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Loy
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Isola
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quartu
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Melis
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Isola
mesh_terms: D061354:Acinar Cells / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D066292:Lipid Droplets; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D053142:Mitochondrial Size; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
keywords: diabetes; morphometric analysis; submandibular