Dietary fatty acids and the time elapsed from their intake are related to their composition in rat submandibular gland and salivary flow rates.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of dietary fatty acids (FAs) and the time elapsed from their intake on FA tissue profile of rat submandibular gland (SG) and on its salivary flow rate (SFR). Do dietary FAs depending on the intake time modify their profile in SG and consequently the SFR? MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six adult male Wistar rats were fed on control diet (corn oil, CD, 18:2 n-6 FA) for 7 days and then divided into CD and two groups with replacement of corn oil by olive (OD, 18:1 n-9 FA) or chia (ChD, 18:3 n-3 FA) oils (1 and 30 day intake). Submandibular ducts were canalized to collect saliva for 20 min (µL/min). SG were examined (optical/electron microscopy; ImageJ 1.48 software). RESULTS: SFR values were 6.18 ± 0.34 (CD1), 6.04 ± 0.31 (OD1), and 6.00 ± 0.50 (ChD1) (p > 0.05). At 30-day intake, higher SFR values in ChD (7.82 ± 0.7) with respect to CD (4.68 ± 0.44; p < 0.001) and OD (6.08 ± 0.2; p = 0.038) were found. ChD30 showed a higher serous acinous area percentage than CD30 and OD30, whereas mucous acinous density was greater in CD30 than in OD30 and ChD30 (p < 0.05). α-Linolenic (ALA) and eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid levels were only detected in SG of ChD30, while arachidonic acid was lower in this group as compared with CD30 and OD30 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: SG FA composition and its SFR appear to be modulated by dietary FAs and the time elapsed from their consumption. SFR is highest with n-3 ALA-rich ChD at 30-day intake. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Diet could contribute to improve secretory dysfunctions.

Prostate-specific antigen: its relationship with alcohol intake and tobacco.

To determine the influence of alcohol and tobacco consumption on serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. 59 men participated in this study: 20 with prostate tumors (PT) and 39 without tumor diagnosis (prostate controls, PC) (mean 66 and 58 years, respectively). PSA was analyzed in serum samples and its values were compared through the Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test. Alcohol and tobacco consumption was also considered. PSA mean value was higher than 4 ng/ml in PT, whereas in PC it was lower than that value. Statistically significant differences were found when comparing PSA between PT and PC (P < 0.05). PSA was higher in alcohol and tobacco consumers than in non-consumers in PT group (P < 0.05). For PC, PSA mean values were higher in non-smokers than in smokers. Statistically significant differences were observed for serum PSA when compared between PT and PC groups considering alcohol and tobacco consumption (P < 0.05). Serum PSA values appear to be influenced by alcohol and tobacco consumption.