Salivary glands, glycoconjugates and diabetes mellitus.

Abstract

It is generally accepted that glycoconjugates secreted by salivary glands are important in the protection of the oral environment. Studies with diabetic rodents have shown that their salivary glands are adversely affected. Little effort has been made to determine whether altered synthesis and/or secretion of glycoconjugates occur in salivary glands of diabetic individuals, either human or non-human. The major salivary glands of male Swiss-Webster mice, rendered diabetic with alloxan, were examined and compared to controls. Sections of major salivary glands were examined using a battery of non-lectin staining methods for glycoconjugates. Granular duct diameters were measured in sections of the submandibular glands (SM) from controls and all experimental groups. Neutral glycoconjugate staining in SM acini of glands from diabetic animals was depressed, while staining of acidic glycoconjugates increased. Neutral glycoconjugate staining in granular ducts of SM glands of diabetic animals was depressed, as were granule content and granular duct diameters. Induced diabetes did not affect staining of neutral glycoconjugates in parotid glands but staining of acidic non-sulfated glycoconjugates appeared to increase. There were no apparent differences in neutral or acidic glycoconjugate staining of sublingual (SL) glands of diabetic or control mice.