Histological and ultrastructural study of submandibular salivary gland alterations following diclofenac sodium administration [experimenttal study]

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of diclofenac sodium on the submandibular salivary gland through the light microscope [using H and E stain] and the transmission electron microscope. Light microscopical examination revealed structural degeneration and vacuolization of acinar cells in diclofenac sodium treated rats, with dilatation of the ductal lumina and apparent chronic inflammatory cells infiltration together with red blood cells extravasation. The examination of the submandibular salivary glands of treated rats, in electron microscope, revealed the serous acinar cells with vacuolated cytoplasm and few cytoplasmic organelles. There was extensive coalescence of the mucous secretory granules and the lumina of the mucous acini were abnormally distended and filled with the mucous secretory materials. In both serous and mucous acinar cells, the mitochondria were few and altered, while the rough endoplasmic reticulum was significantly inconspicuous. The nuclei were heterochromatic with irregular nuclear outlines