Risk Factors for Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) Progression: A Study Ruled in Torino.

PURPOSE: Aim of this retrospective, observational study is to describe features of a population sample, affected by primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) in order to evaluate damage progression on the basis of the emerged individual risk factors. METHODS: We included 190 caucasian patients (377 eyes), evaluating relationship between individual risk factors (explicative variables) and MD (Mean Deviation) of standard automated perimetry. We also considered the dependent variable NFI (Neural Fiber Index) of GDx scanning laser polarimetry. Progression has been evaluated through a statistic General Linear Model on four follow up steps (mean follow up 79 months). RESULTS: Factors reaching statistical significance, determining a worsening of the MD variable, are: age (P<0.0001), intraocular pressure (IOP) at follow up (P < 0.0001), female gender (P<0.0001), hypertension (P< 0.0001) and familiarity (P = 0.0006). Factors reaching statistical significance, determining a worsening of the NFI variable, are only IOP at follow up (P = 0.0159) and depression (P = 0.0104). CONCLUSION: Results of this study confirm and enforce data coming from most recent studies: IOP remains the main risk factor for glaucoma assess and progression; age and familiarity are great risk factors as underlined in the last decades; female sex can be an important risk factors as emerged only in the last years; arterial hypertension should always be evaluated in timing of our clinic follow up.

Surgical anatomy of the orbital region, local anesthesia and general considerations.

Orbital region may be divided into four sectors: medial canthus, lateral canthus, lower lid and upper lid. A vertical section of a lid shows 5 layers: skin, subcutaneous tissue with orbicularis muscle, fibrous layer (tarsus-aponeurosis), plain fibers muscle layer (Muller's), conjunctiva. The first two layers form the "anterior lamella" and the other ones the "posterior lamella", divided by the grey line. In this review Authors describe with all details the orbital region and the eyelid layers, considering the most important concepts for surgery. Finally they resume basics of local anesthesia in ophthalmoplastic surgery.

Eyelid benign and malignant tumors: issues in classification, excision and reconstruction.

In the orbital region the variety of tumors is so vast that even an expert oculoplastic surgeon may be deceived. The various tumors may be classified as benign, precancerous and malignant. Approximately 5-10% of all skin cancers occur in the eyelids. Incidence studies indicate that basal cell carcinoma is the most frequent malignant eyelid tumor, followed by squamous cell carcinoma, sebaceous gland carcinoma and malignant melanoma. Malignant neoplasms represent the leading cause of plastic reconstruction in orbital region, followed by cicatricial retraction, post-traumatic loss of tissue, congenital colobomas. Aim of this review is to classify benign and malignant lesions; to consider the surgical removal approach to the lesion (Mohs micrographic surgery, frozen sections, biopsy, immediate removal and reconstruction with permanent sections) and finally to consider reconstruction techniques with grafts and flaps.

Ectropion, entropion, trichiasis.

Aim of this review was to describe ectropion, entropion and trichiasis and their therapy. These eyelid pathologies are characterised by common symptoms (redness, excessive tearing and irritation of the eye) and by altered balance of the anterior and posterior lamellae of the eyelids. They involve more frequently the inferior eyelid and the therapy is mainly surgical. Parasurgical therapy may play a role as a temporary measure.

Blepharoptosis.

Blepharoptosis of the upper eyelid is a common condition among patients presenting for oculoplastic surgery. Although there are many types of ptosis, the two most frequent clinical cases are simple congenital ptosis in young patients and senile ptosis in adults. Patient examination is important to distinguish these from other more infrequent types of ptosis, such as those neurogenic, myogenic and posttraumatic. These latter cases may require specific therapeutic strategies. Ptosis can usually be corrected surgically. The article discusses guidelines for the choice of intervention. Various different surgical techniques are also presented, together with results and complications.

Blepharoplastic: essential review.

In the periorbital the major aging changes are a drooping of the brow (brow ptosis), excessive accumulation of skin in the upper lid (dermatochalasis), and a prolapse of orbital fat, in the upper and lower lids caused by weakening of the septum and orbital connective tissues. The specific anatomical abnormalities of each individual patients should be identified and the relationship between each other should be identified in order to determine a correct surgical plan. In this review we will analyze different surgical techniques.

An internal medicine perspective review of risk factors for assessing and progression of primary open angle glaucoma.

Aim of this review was to resume risk factors for the assess and progression of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), particularly considering systemic risk factors that can be associated with glaucomatous damage. If intraocular pressure is the main risk factor, we must consider carefully familiarity, age, gender and possible associations with diabetes, hypertension, vascular autoregulation disorders, hypo- and hyperthyroidism, hypo- and hyperadrenalism, sleep apnea syndrome, corticosteroids therapies and other suspected factors cited in literature. Glaucoma's etiology remains unknown, its physiopathology is poorly understood and its diagnosis is often difficult. It is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and it is the real "silent thief of sight" because the loss of vision often occurs gradually over a long period of time, and symptoms only occur when the disease is quite advanced. Cost-effectiveness analyses for POAG screening are weighted by the degree of uncertainty that glaucoma screening can be effective and reliable achieved. Addressing patients to an ophthalmologic investigation on the basis of the identified risk factors is a fundamental preventing measure.

Estrogen receptor profiles: changes in mouse and rat mammary tumors by treatment with selective estrogen receptor modifiers.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to analyze the effect of estradiol (E(2)), medroxyprogesterone and the two selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) (tamoxifen (Tam) and raloxifene (Ral)) on the estrogen receptor (ER) conformers profile performed by size exclusion HPLC in relation to hormone dependence of mammary tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two types of mammary tumors were studied: tumors transplanted in BALB/c mice that are medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA)-dependent for growth, and tumors induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by intraperitoneal injection of N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU). Tumors from mice treated with MPA, E(2), Tam or Ral and NMU-treated rats were analyzed and compared to that of control. RESULTS: The tumor conformer profiles were as follows: control and MPA-treated mice showed only one peak (oligomeric form); E(2)-treated mice also showed only one peak (dimer); Tam-treated mice showed one peak corresponding to a possible proteolytic fragment, and Ral-treated mice showed two peaks (oligomeric and a possible proteolytic fragment). On the other hand, NMU-induced mammary tumors from rats showed three peaks (oligomeric, monomeric and proteolytic). CONCLUSION: Our findings may indicate that SERMs affect the aggregation state of ER and thereby its ability to modulate genomic transcription mechanisms related to growth rate.

Influence of different sterilization procedures and partial demineralization of screws made of bone on their mechanical properties.

Since 1992, screws made of allogenic, autoclaved human cortical bone have been employed as osteosynthesis materials. Autoclaving at 134 degrees C for 5 min makes them microbiologically safe, but on the other hand it reduces both their mechanical properties and osteoconductive capacity. The aim of this in vitro study was to determine if the mechanical properties of these screws could be improved after receiving different autoclaving procedures and partial inner demineralization, the latter additionally tending to increase their osteoconductive potential. 132 screws made of bovine cortical bone were employed. Some of them were partially demineralized with 0.6 N HCl from an inner canal performed following their longitudinal axis. All the specimens were autoclaved at 134 degrees C but under different vacuum conditions and sterilization time (A1-A2). They were then subjected to tension, shear and torque tests. A difference between both sterilization procedures was observed. Samples sterilized at 134 degrees C, 2-2.4 mbars for 5 min (A1) showed better mechanical properties than those autoclaved for longer time and higher vacuum conditions (A2). Demineralization also influenced their mechanical properties, being less resistant with increasing time. Based on these results, a standard screw made of bone and autoclaved at 134 degrees C, 2-2.4 mbars, 5 min seems to be the most appropriate, from a biomechanical point of view, to be used as osteosynthesis material.

Proliferación y apoptosis en epitelio lingual de ratones con tumores salivales inducidos por dimetilbenzantraceno (DMBA) y modulados por lípidos dietarios / Proliferation and apoptosis in tongue epithelium of mice bearing salivary tumors induced by dimetilbenzantraceno (DMBA) and modulated by dietary lipids

INTRODUCTION: According to the concept of field defects during the carcinogenesis process, excessive epithelial proliferation/apoptosis may exist in areas near tumors. Proliferation or apoptosis could be modified by dietary lipids. PURPOSE: The present study was designed to analyze proliferation and apoptosis in tongue epithelium of mice fed diets based on different lipids followed by induction of salivary tumors with DMBA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five days after weaning, ten BALB/c mice were assigned to two diets: corn oil (CO) and fish oil (cod liver, FO). Two weeks later, DMBA was injected in the submandibular area. Animals were sacrificed at the 13th post-injection week. Samples of tongue were fixed in formalin-ethanol and immunohistochemically stained for proliferation (Ki-67) and apoptosis (Bax). By light microscopy, the number of nuclei positive for these markers were counted out of three-hundred total interphase cells both in dorsal and in ventral tongue surfaces. Results were analyzed through Analysis of Variance and t Test. RESULTS: Cell proliferation was greater in dorsal than in ventral tongue surfaces (p < 0.0001) with no diet difference. Apoptosis was significantly greater in mice fed FO than CO, particularly in tongue dorsal epithelia (p < 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that FO diet induces higher levels of apoptosis in tongue epithelia suggesting a tissue defensive mechanism when exposed to a carcinogenic-tumoral agent.

Introducción: Según el concepto de cancerización de campo, existría alteración en la proliferación epitelial en áreas cercanas a tumores. Dicha proliferación podría ser modificada por lípidos dietarios. Objetivos: este estudio fue diseñado para analizar proliferación y apoptosis en epitelio lingual de ratones portadores de tumores salivalesinducidos por DMBA y alimentados con dietas a base de diferentes lípidos. Materiales y Métodos: Cuarenta y cinco días posteriores al destete, diez ratones BALB/c fueron asignados a dos dietas: maíz(M) y bacalao (B). Dos semanas después se inyectó DMBA en la zona submandibular. Los animales fueron sacrificados a ala 13º semana post-inyección. Muestras de lengua fueron fijadas en formal-etanl y procesadas inmunohistoquímicamente con marcadores de proliferación (Ki-67) y apoptosis. Mediante microscopia óptica, se efectuó un conteo de núcleos positivos a ambos marcadosres en un total de trecientas células en interfase, tanto en cara dorsal como ventral de lengua. Los resultados fueron analizados mediante Anális de Varianza y Test t. Resultados: La proliferación celular fue mayor en cara dorsal que en ventral (p> 0.001), sin diferencias por dieta. La apoptosis fue significativamentes mayor en ratones alimentados con B que M, en particular en cara dorsal (p<0.018). Conclusiones: Este estudio demuestra que la dieta B induce mayor apoptosis en ela epitelio lingua, sgiriendo un mecanismo defensivo de los tejidos ante el agente cancerígeno-tumoral.

Proliferación y apoptosis en epitelio lingual de ratones con tumores salivales inducidos por dimetilbenzantraceno (DMBA) y modulados por lípidos dietarios / Proliferation and apoptosis in tongue epithelium of mice bearing salivary tumors induced by dimetilbenzantraceno (DMBA) and modulated by dietary lipids

INTRODUCTION: According to the concept of field defects during the carcinogenesis process, excessive epithelial proliferation/apoptosis may exist in areas near tumors. Proliferation or apoptosis could be modified by dietary lipids. PURPOSE: The present study was designed to analyze proliferation and apoptosis in tongue epithelium of mice fed diets based on different lipids followed by induction of salivary tumors with DMBA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five days after weaning, ten BALB/c mice were assigned to two diets: corn oil (CO) and fish oil (cod liver, FO). Two weeks later, DMBA was injected in the submandibular area. Animals were sacrificed at the 13th post-injection week. Samples of tongue were fixed in formalin-ethanol and immunohistochemically stained for proliferation (Ki-67) and apoptosis (Bax). By light microscopy, the number of nuclei positive for these markers were counted out of three-hundred total interphase cells both in dorsal and in ventral tongue surfaces. Results were analyzed through Analysis of Variance and t Test. RESULTS: Cell proliferation was greater in dorsal than in ventral tongue surfaces (p < 0.0001) with no diet difference. Apoptosis was significantly greater in mice fed FO than CO, particularly in tongue dorsal epithelia (p < 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that FO diet induces higher levels of apoptosis in tongue epithelia suggesting a tissue defensive mechanism when exposed to a carcinogenic-tumoral agent.(AU)

Introducción: Según el concepto de cancerización de campo, existría alteración en la proliferación epitelial en áreas cercanas a tumores. Dicha proliferación podría ser modificada por lípidos dietarios. Objetivos: este estudio fue diseñado para analizar proliferación y apoptosis en epitelio lingual de ratones portadores de tumores salivalesinducidos por DMBA y alimentados con dietas a base de diferentes lípidos. Materiales y Métodos: Cuarenta y cinco días posteriores al destete, diez ratones BALB/c fueron asignados a dos dietas: maíz(M) y bacalao (B). Dos semanas después se inyectó DMBA en la zona submandibular. Los animales fueron sacrificados a ala 13º semana post-inyección. Muestras de lengua fueron fijadas en formal-etanl y procesadas inmunohistoquímicamente con marcadores de proliferación (Ki-67) y apoptosis. Mediante microscopia óptica, se efectuó un conteo de núcleos positivos a ambos marcadosres en un total de trecientas células en interfase, tanto en cara dorsal como ventral de lengua. Los resultados fueron analizados mediante Anális de Varianza y Test t. Resultados: La proliferación celular fue mayor en cara dorsal que en ventral (p> 0.001), sin diferencias por dieta. La apoptosis fue significativamentes mayor en ratones alimentados con B que M, en particular en cara dorsal (p<0.018). Conclusiones: Este estudio demuestra que la dieta B induce mayor apoptosis en ela epitelio lingua, sgiriendo un mecanismo defensivo de los tejidos ante el agente cancerígeno-tumoral. (AU)

Effects of enzymatic treatments on the biomechanical properties of screws made of bone.

Nowadays, bone tissue employed to manufacture screws used as osteosynthesis material is obtained from organ donors. But in different medical fields there is an increasing need to use xenogenic grafts and implants, which still imply risks of transmission of some diseases and antigenicity. Two different autoclaving programs (A1, A2) and an alternative to reduce the antigenicity of screws made of xenogenic bone based on enzymatic treatment are analyzed from a biomechanical point of view. 128 screws made of bovine femur bone were employed. Some of them were partially demineralized with 0.6 N HCl, enzymatically digested with collagenase (specific) and pepsin (nonspecific) and then autoclaved. The specimens were subjected to tension, shear and screw torque tests and histologically evaluated. Compared to A1, A2 sterilization method (134 degrees C but higher vacuum and longer time) considerably reduced the mechanical strength of specimens. The enzymatic digestion, expected to reduce antigenicity, did not affect the screw superficial structure and would not modify the bone biomechanical properties per se, but maybe because of the association with autoclaving and partial demineralization.

Niveles plasmáticos de insulina en pacientes con cáncer de mama: su posible valor pronóstico / Insulin plasmatic level in patients with breast carcinoma, its possible pronostic value

La insulina, miembro de la familia de factores de crecimiento que incluyen al factor de crecimiento tipo insulina I (IGF-I) y II (IGF-II), presenta efectos mitogénicos sobre células epiteliales mamarias normales y malignas (Goodwin y col., 2002). Se postula que altos niveles de insulina permiten identificar mujeres con una mala evolución de su cáncer de mama, en quienes deberán aplicarse estrategias terapéuticas más efectivas. Se estudiaron 32 pacientes con cáncer de mama, de las cuales 18 presentaron carcinoma ductal invasor, incluidos 3 multifocales (56 por ciento), 6 carcinoma lobulillar infiltrante (19 por ciento), 3 carcinoma papilar (10 por ciento) y el resto otros tipos (15 por ciento). Dos pacientes (7 por ciento) presentan diabetes mellitus no-insulino dependiente. Los niveles de insulina plasmática en ayunas determinados por RIA (Insulin-CT kit) resultaron en: 18 pacientes (56 por ciento) con niveles normales (5,5 a 19,9 µUI/ml), el resto (44 por ciento) con insulinemias superiores al normal. La insulinemia plasmática en ayunas en voluntarias sanas resultó ser de 13,9ñ4,3 µUI/ml (n=10)...

Niveles plasmáticos de insulina en pacientes con cáncer de mama: su posible valor pronóstico / Insulin plasmatic level in patients with breast carcinoma, its possible pronostic value

La insulina, miembro de la familia de factores de crecimiento que incluyen al factor de crecimiento tipo insulina I (IGF-I) y II (IGF-II), presenta efectos mitogénicos sobre células epiteliales mamarias normales y malignas (Goodwin y col., 2002). Se postula que altos niveles de insulina permiten identificar mujeres con una mala evolución de su cáncer de mama, en quienes deberán aplicarse estrategias terapéuticas más efectivas. Se estudiaron 32 pacientes con cáncer de mama, de las cuales 18 presentaron carcinoma ductal invasor, incluidos 3 multifocales (56 por ciento), 6 carcinoma lobulillar infiltrante (19 por ciento), 3 carcinoma papilar (10 por ciento) y el resto otros tipos (15 por ciento). Dos pacientes (7 por ciento) presentan diabetes mellitus no-insulino dependiente. Los niveles de insulina plasmática en ayunas determinados por RIA (Insulin-CT kit) resultaron en: 18 pacientes (56 por ciento) con niveles normales (5,5 a 19,9 AUI/ml), el resto (44 por ciento) con insulinemias superiores al normal. La insulinemia plasmática en ayunas en voluntarias sanas resultó ser de 13,9ñ4,3 AUI/ml (n=10)...(AU)

Volume variations of bone tissue after undergoing different physical and chemical treatments.

Both autogenic and allogenic bone has been employed through different surgical procedures to fill different defects or as osteosynthesis materials. Some physical and/or chemical treatments are usually necessary before its use. Since bone volume is important from a surgical point of view, the present study was designed to analyse its possible variations when subjected to certain procedures. Screws made of bovine cortical bone were autoclaved in different conditions regarding time and vacuum (A1-A2), cryopreserved, demineralised, enzymatically digested and rehydrated. The samples were measured before and after every treatment. Sterilisation caused a volume reduction more marked with method A1 than A2 whereas freezing allowed to obtain the original size. No volumetric changes were registered after demineralisation and enzymatic digestion. Rehydration significantly increased their volume already during the first hour but the maximum value was reached at 24 h. Thus, autoclaving was the only treatment able to reduce the bone volume whilst freezing and rehydration allowed the samples to return to their original size.

Cellular basis and clinical implications of biological markers in salivary tissues: their topological distribution in murine submandibular gland.

Cell proliferation and apoptosis as well as cell-cell adhesion and communication are essential processes that assure cell survival, renewal and coordination. Since junctional proteins have a tumor suppressor activity, their immunohistochemical characterization has diagnostic and prognostic value. The purpose of this report is to review the role played by junctional and proliferation-related proteins in the salivary glands and to illustrate their immunohistochemical localisation in normal murine submandibular gland. Normal salivary gland tissue was obtained from normal adult male BALB/c mice. After immediate fixation in formalin and ethanol, the samples were immunohistochemically stained for E-cadherin (HECD-1), Bcl-2, Ki67 (MIB-1), connexin26 and connexin 32, beta-catenin and gamma-catenin. Their topological distribution and reactivity were evaluated by light microscopy. The nuclei of submandibular acinar cells exhibited low to moderate staining for Ki67, but no reaction was observed in ductal cells. Murine Bcl-2 was light to moderately expressed in the latero-basal domain of cells of submandibular acini but was only lightly expressed in striated and eosinophilic ducts. The lateral domain of acinar cells were heavily stained with anti-E-cadherin, while only low levels were expressed at the cellular surface of ducts. beta-Catenin was consistently and evenly distributed along the latero-apical boundaries of eosinophilic secretory duct cells as well as on the lateral domain of acinar cells. On the contrary, gamma-catenin was generally expressed at lower levels than beta-catenin, was not expressed in ductal cells and was only lightly stained on the lateral membranes of acinar cells. No expression of connexin 32 was observed in ducts but it was significantly expressed in a spotted pattern along the plasma membrane of acinic cells. Connexin 26 showed similar localization to that of connexin 32 but the staining was much more intense. Since these proteins have been reported to play key roles in maintaining homeostasis via control of cell growth, differentiation and death, their analysis in normal salivary tissue will hopefully contribute to the study of salivary tumorigenesis.

Effects of dietary lipids on cell proliferation of murine oral mucosa.

BACKGROUND: The lack of certain essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) induces perturbation in cell proliferation, apoptosis and dedifferentiation that could be linked to an increased protumorigenic trend. Contrarily, n-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) arrest cell proliferation in several tumor models. According to the concept of field cancerization, multiple patches of abnormal epithelial proliferation may coexist in the vicinity of oropharyngeal neoplasms. The purpose of the present study is to determine whether certain dietary PUFAs differentially modulate the patterns of cell proliferation and apoptosis at non-tumoral sites of the oral mucosa in mice bearing DMBA induced salivary tumors. After weaning, BALB/c mice were assigned to four diets: Control (C), Corn Oil (CO), Fish (FO) and Olein (O). Two weeks later, DMBA was injected into the submandibular area. The animals were sacrificed between 94 and 184 days at 4-6 PM. Fixed samples of lip, tongue and palate were stained using H-E and a silver technique. A quantification of AgNORs in the basal (BS) and suprabasal stratum (SBS) of the covering squamous epithelia as well as of mitosis and apoptosis was performed. RESULTS: Analysis of Variance showed greater proliferation in tongue than in palate or lip. According to the diet, a significant difference was found in the Fish Oil, in which palate exhibited fewer AgNOR particles than that of the control group, both for BS and SBS (p < 0.05 and 0.152, respectively), indicating a reduced cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: These results corroborate and reaffirm that the patterns of cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of the oral stratified squamous epithelium may be differentially modulated by dietary lipids, and arrested by n-3 fatty acids, as shown in several other cell populations.

Cambios estructurales del complejo articular temporomandibular (CATM) humano en distintas edades gestacionales / Human temporomandibular articular complex structural changes in different gestational ages

Se analizaron los cambios estructurales de los distintos componentes del CATM en fetos humanos de 16, 18, 24 y 37 semanas de gestación, con el propósito de identificar el grado de maduración tisular y asociarlo con su posible capacidad funcional para efectuar los movimientos mandibulares. Se emplearon técnicas histoquímicas de rutina y de inmunomarcación. Los anticuerpos utilizados fueron proteína de neurofilamentos (NE14), vimentina y mioglobina mediante el sistema avidina-biotina, DAB. Las variaciones observadas en las distintas edades gestacionales se encontraron principalmente, a nivel del disco articular y cóndilo mandibular. Entre las 16 y 18 semanas, el disco mostró fibrillas PAS positivas y abundantes fibras argirófilas dispuestas en plexos. Las fibras elásticas fueron escasas y muy delgadas en la zona bilaminar póstero-superior. A las 24 semanas, el CATM mostró un aumento notable en las dimensiones de todos sus componentes. El disco de mayor espesor exibió una proporción más elevada de fibras colágenas y elásticas, mientras que las fibrillas argirófilas organizadas en haces adquirieron una disposición específica. Se identificaron nervios inmunorreactivos con NE14 en la zona anterior y en el espacio laminar póstero-inferior próximo al cóndilo. En los especímenes de mayor edad, los cortes sagitales del disco aislado, mostraron diferentes regiones según el espesor y la disposición de las fibras colágenas. Algunos haces musculares del pterigoideo dispuestos en zig-zag y con apariencia de un estado de semicontracción, no expresaron la mioglobina. A las 24 semanas, los componentes del CATM presentaron, en general, características similares a las observadas en los fetos de término. La maduración de los músculos asociados y de los tejidos articulares, en especial del disco, permite sugerir que los componentes del CATM estarían capacitados para desarrollar actividades de apertura y cierre mandibular a partir de esta etapa prenatal.

Influence of environmental and nutritional factors on salivary gland tumorigenesis with a special reference to dietary lipids.

Salivary gland cancer is a rare condition whose incidence varies according to different geographical regions. Several environmental factors, such as ionizing radiation and some occupational aspects, as well as habits like smoking and alcohol consumption, are related to salivary tumorigenesis. Both acinar and ductal cells may be involved in the origin of salivary gland tumours. Even though laboratory and epidemiological evidence indicates that diet and nutritional habits may modulate the tumorigenesis at different sites, little is known about this effect on salivary glands, mainly in regard to dietary lipids. However, the fact that monounsaturated fatty acids behave as protumorigenic and, on the contrary, certain polyunsaturated fatty acids exert beneficial effects, demonstrated on breast, colon and even oral cancer, gives support to our hypothesis. The suggested relationship between environmental and nutritional factors, mainly dietary lipids, and salivary gland cancer constitutes the aim of the present work.

N-3, n-6 and n-9 dietary fatty acids modulate the growth parameters of murine salivary gland tumors induced by dimethylbenzanthracene.

Variations in dietary fatty acid composition influence the biological behaviour of certain tumours. Diets enriched with oleic acid (18:1 n-9) seem to promote tumour progression on several lines due perhaps to the development of essential fatty acid deficiency (EFAD), whereas n-3 fatty acids have a protective effect. Since the role played by lipids on salivary gland tumorigenesis has not yet been studied, an experimental model is presented. BALB/c mice were fed on four different diets: control, corn oil, fish oil and olein groups. Salivary gland adenocarcinomas were chemically induced by using 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene. Animals were sacrificed at the 20th post-injection week and several tumour parameters were analysed. Linoleic acid showed no promoting activity. Tumour size was larger in the olein group than in fish oil fed mice, indicating that the oleic acid, linked to the induced EFAD condition, has a protumorigenic activity whereas n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids appear to exert a protective effect.