influence of cortisone administration on the histology and carbohydrate histochemistry of the rat salivary glands

ABSTRACT

The effect of administration of excessive dose of cortisone for 4 successivedays on the histology and carbohydrate histochemistry of the rat salivaryglands was investigated. An atrophy of some acini in the posterior lingualand palatine glands and unalteration in size of the submandibular andsublingual acini occurred. However, the prevailing cortisone influence led tohypertrophy of the posterior lingual and palatine acini and the proliferationof ducts and associated vessels and the prominence of basal striation. Inmajor glands, the secretory tubules became hypertrophic, though the peripheralones were most frequently seen absolutely degranulated, so appeared closelyresembling mucous units. The carbohydrate content was generally increased inthe submandibular and sublingual acini, while the neutral mucin was reducedand the acidic one was increased in the posterior lingual and palatine acini. The study has generally evidenced the stimulatory influence of cortisone on theinvestigated glands, irrespective of which glandular component has beenresponded to cortisone administration