Salivary Gland Function Research Articles

Histopathological and morphological alterations in salivary gland of House fly induced by oral administration Thiamethoxam.

The current work the effect of Actara insecticide belongs to chemical family Neonicotinoid. The active component of thiamethoxam in three concentrations: 0.750 ppm, 1.5 ppm and 2.25ppm on adult house fly salivary glands. Histopathological and morphological effects revealed important alterations produced by this insecticide in histological and morphology of the adult house fly gland tissue categorized by increasing gland duct lumen diameter. These alterations are possibly related with excretion function of salivary gland might be accountable for removing this insecticide. Results show thiamethoxam is a powerful insecticide that performances histologically in salivary glant tissue, triggering alterations in the glands form, cytoplasm with extreme vacuolation ,disruption cell membrane, obvious disorganization tissues cells, terminating in progressive deteriorating phase with changes in nucleus glandular cell's, such alterations occurred together in its size and form of gland, disintegration of nucleus, and presence of apoptosis(fragmentation) nucleus, accelerating the process of glandular degeneration ,and interfering with feeding process of house fly particularly when the peak concentration of insecticide was used.

Age associated decrease of sialin in salivary glands

Aging salivary glands are characterized by a reduced volume of acini, increased duct volume, decline in the rate of synthesis of proteins and their mRNA, and decreased saliva flow. Sialin is a versatile anion transporter that is highly expressed in salivary glands and may also participate in maintenance of salivary gland function. We investigated age-associated sialin expression in salivary glands. Submandibular glands of mice and human parotid gland were collected at different ages. Western blot and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were used to analyze the protein and mRNA expression levels of sialin, respectively. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining were used to evaluate the histological pattern of sialin expression. We found that the protein and mRNA expression levels of sialin decreased with aging. The expression of sialin in the striated and excretory ducts of both mouse and human glands were reduced with age. In the mouse glands, the basal 2/3 of the cytoplasm was stained, while in the human glands the stain extended to the luminal surface. Sialin was expressed in the basal cytoplasmic membrane of acini and in some myoepithelial-like cells in young salivary glands, but had nearly disappeared in the aged salivary glands. Changes in sialin expression may be associated with changes in physiological function of salivary glands with aging.

Murine Salivary Functional Assessment via Pilocarpine Stimulation Following Fractionated Radiation.

Hyposalivation is commonly observed in the autoimmune reaction of Sjögren's syndrome or following radiation injury to the major salivary glands. In these cases, questions remain regarding disease pathogenesis and effective interventions. An optimized technique that allows functional assessment of the salivary glands is invaluable for investigating exocrine gland biology, dysfunction, and therapeutics. Here, we present a step by step approach to performing pilocarpine stimulated saliva secretion, including tracheostomy and the dissection of the three major murine salivary glands. We also detail the appropriate murine head and neck anatomy accessed during these techniques. This approach is scalable, allowing for multiple mice to be processed simultaneously, thus improving the efficiency of the work flow. We aim to improve the reproducibility of these methods, each of which has further applications within the field. In addition to saliva collection, we discuss metrics for quantifying and normalizing functional capacity of these tissues. Representative data are included from submandibular glands with depressed salivary gland function 2 weeks following fractionated radiation (4 doses of 6.85 Gy).

Murine Salivary Functional Assessment via Pilocarpine Stimulation Following Fractionated Radiation

Hyposalivation is commonly observed in the autoimmune reaction of Sjögren's syndrome or following radiation injury to the major salivary glands. In these cases, questions remain regarding disease pathogenesis and effective interventions. An optimized technique that allows functional assessment of the salivary glands is invaluable for investigating exocrine gland biology, dysfunction, and therapeutics. Here, we present a step by step approach to performing pilocarpine stimulated saliva secretion, including tracheostomy and the dissection of the three major murine salivary glands. We also detail the appropriate murine head and neck anatomy accessed during these techniques. This approach is scalable, allowing for multiple mice to be processed simultaneously, thus improving the efficiency of the work flow. We aim to improve the reproducibility of these methods, each of which has further applications within the field. In addition to saliva collection, we discuss metrics for quantifying and normalizing functional capacity of these tissues. Representative data are included from submandibular glands with depressed salivary gland function 2 weeks following fractionated radiation (4 doses of 6.85 Gy).

A detrimental effect of interleukin-22 on salivary gland tissue integrity and function

Abstract Interleukin-22 (IL-22) has well-documented effects in promoting epithelial wound healing and protecting tissue damage in the intestine and lung. However, in certain inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis, IL-22 can also exert tissue-detrimental effect. Although the up-regulation of IL-22 has been reported in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome (SS), the role of IL-22 in this disease is not well-characterized. Herein, we investigated the effects of IL-22 on SS-like salivary gland disorder using both in vivo and in vitro approaches. To assess the effects of exogenous IL-22 on salivary gland tissues in vivo, IL-22 was directly injected into submandibular glands (SMGs) of 7–12 weeks old female C57BL/6 and the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, a model of SS disease. The salivary flow rate was decreased and the caspase-3 level was increased in the SMGs of the IL-22-treated C57BL/6 mice. IL-22 treatment also decreased the salivary flow rate and increased the level of capase-3 in the SMGs in the NOD mice. We determined the effects of endogenous IL-22 using an anti-CD3 antibody-induced acute exocrinopathy model. Anti-CD3 antibody was intraperitoneally injected into 8-week-old female C57BL/6 mice every other day for 3 days, together with a neutralizing anti-IL-22 antibody or its isotype control IgG. Neutralization of endogenous IL-22 improved saliva production and reduced caspase-3 activation in the SMGs in anti-CD3-treated C57BL/6 mice. Moreover, in vitro IL-22 treatment of a human salivary gland epithelial cells induced STAT3 activation and inhibited cell expansion. Taken together, these results provided strong evidence that IL-22 can directly act on salivary gland epithelial cells and promote damage and dysfunction of salivary gland tissues.

Low-Level Laser Therapy to the Major Salivary Glands Increases Salivary Flow and MUC5B Protein Secretion in Diabetic Patients with Hyposalivation: A Preliminary Study

Background: To investigate the effect of low-level laser therapy to salivary gland function in diabetic patients with hyposalivation. Methods: Twelve diabetic patients were recruited. A 940-nm indium-gallium-arsenide-phosphide low-power semiconductor diode laser was used to stimulate the major salivary glands with an irradiation time of 40 s; this was done three times a week for 2 consecutive weeks. Patients were given questionnaires related to dry mouth symptoms. Salivary flow rates, questionnaire responses as well as MUC7, MUC5B and histatin 5 protein salivary concentrations were assessed at the first and sixth visits after laser therapy as well at the 6-week follow-up visit. Results: The unstimulated salivary flow rate and MUC5B concentration at the follow-up visit significantly increased (p < 0.01). Histatin 5 concentration significantly decreased at the follow-up visit compared with that at the first visit (p < 0.05). The mean dry mouth score revealed a significant decrease in dry mouth symptoms at the sixth visit and follow-up visit compared with those at the first visit (p < 0.001). The positive correlation between dry mouth score and flow rate was the strongest at the sixth visit (rs = 0.549). Conclusions: Low-level laser therapy increased the salivary flow rate and decreased dry mouth symptoms in diabetic patients.

The G-Protein–Coupled Receptor ALX/Fpr2 Regulates Adaptive Immune Responses in Mouse Submandibular Glands

Lipoxin receptor (ALX)/N-formyl peptide receptor (FPR)-2 is a G-protein-coupled receptor that has multiple binding partners, including the endogenous lipid mediators resolvin D1, lipoxin A4, and the Ca2+-dependent phospholipid-binding protein annexin A1. Previous studies have demonstrated that resolvin D1 activates ALX/Fpr2 to resolve salivary gland inflammation in the NOD/ShiLtJ mouse model of Sjögren syndrome. Moreover, mice lacking the ALX/Fpr2 display an exacerbated salivary gland inflammation in response to lipopolysaccharide. Additionally, activation of ALX/Fpr2 has been shown to be important for regulating antibody production in B cells. These previous studies indicate that ALX/Fpr2 promotes resolution of salivary gland inflammation while modulating adaptive immunity, suggesting the need for investigation of the role of ALX/Fpr2 in regulating antibody production and secretory function in mouse salivary glands. Our results indicate that aging female knockout mice lacking ALX/Fpr2 display a significant reduction in saliva flow rates and weight loss, an increased expression of autoimmune-associated genes, an up-regulation of autoantibody production, and increased CD20-positive B-cell population. Although not all effects were noted among the male knockout mice, the results nonetheless indicate that ALX/Fpr2 is clearly involved in the adaptive immunity and secretory function in salivary glands, with further investigation warranted to determine the cause(s) of these between-sex differences.

APKC\u03b6-dependent Repression of Yap is Necessary for Functional Restoration of Irradiated Salivary Glands with IGF-1

Xerostomia and salivary hypofunction often result as a consequence of radiation therapy for head and neck cancers, which are diagnosed in roughly 60,000 individuals every year in the U.S. Due to the lack of effective treatments for radiation-induced salivary hypofunction, stem cell-based therapies have been suggested to regenerate the irradiated salivary glands. Pharmacologically, restoration of salivary gland function has been accomplished in mice by administering IGF-1 shortly after radiation treatment, but it is not known if salivary stem and progenitor cells play a role. We show that radiation inactivates aPKCζ and promotes nuclear redistribution of Yap in a population of label-retaining cells in the acinar compartment of the parotid gland (PG)– which comprises a heterogeneous pool of salivary progenitors. Administration of IGF-1 post-radiation maintains activation of aPKCζ and partially rescues Yap’s cellular localization in label retaining cells, while restoring salivary function. Finally, IGF-1 fails to restore saliva production in mice lacking aPKCζ, demonstrating the importance of the kinase as a potential therapeutic target.

Prosaposin and its receptors are differentially expressed in the salivary glands of male and female rats.

Salivary glands produce various neurotrophins that are thought to regulate salivary function during normal and pathological conditions. Prosaposin (PSAP) is a potent neurotrophin found in several tissues and various biological fluids and may play roles in the regulation of salivary function. However, little is known about PSAP in salivary glands. As the functions of salivary glands are diverse based on age and sex, this study examines whether PSAP and its receptors, G protein-coupled receptor 37 (GPR37) and GPR37L1, are expressed in the salivary glands of rats and whether sex and aging affect their expression. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that PSAP and its receptors were expressed in the major salivary glands of rats, although their expression varied considerably based on the type of gland, acinar cells, age and sex. In fact, PSAP, GPR37 and GPR37L1 were predominantly expressed in granular convoluted tubule cells of the submandibular gland and the intensity of their immunoreactivity was higher in young adult female rats than age-matched male rats, which was more prominent at older ages (mature adult to menopause). On the other hand, weak PSAP, GPR37 and GPR37L1 immunoreactivity was observed mainly in the basal layer of mucous cells of the sublingual gland. Triple label immunofluorescence analysis revealed that PSAP, GPR37 and GPR37L1 were co-localized in the basal layer of acinar and ductal cells in the major salivary glands. The present findings indicate that PSAP and its receptors, GPR37 and GPR37L1, are expressed in the major salivary glands of rats and their immunoreactivities differ considerably with age and sex.

Mesenchymal Cells Affect Salivary Epithelial Cell Morphology on PGS/PLGA Core/Shell Nanofibers.

Engineering salivary glands is of interest due to the damaging effects of radiation therapy and the autoimmune disease Sjögren’s syndrome on salivary gland function. One of the current problems in tissue engineering is that in vitro studies often fail to predict in vivo regeneration due to failure of cells to interact with scaffolds and of the single cell types that are typically used for these studies. Although poly (lactic co glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanofiber scaffolds have been used for in vitro growth of epithelial cells, PLGA has low compliance and cells do not penetrate the scaffolds. Using a core-shell electrospinning technique, we incorporated poly (glycerol sebacate) (PGS) into PLGA scaffolds to increase the compliance and decrease hydrophobicity. PGS/PLGA scaffolds promoted epithelial cell penetration into the scaffold and apical localization of tight junction proteins, which is necessary for epithelial cell function. Additionally, co-culture of the salivary epithelial cells with NIH3T3 mesenchymal cells on PGS/PLGA scaffolds facilitated epithelial tissue reorganization and apical localization of tight junction proteins significantly more than in the absence of the mesenchyme. These data demonstrate the applicability of PGS/PLGA nanofibers for epithelial cell self-organization and facilitation of co-culture cell interactions that promote tissue self-organization in vitro.

InVivo imaging study for the regulation of salivary gland functions

InVivo imaging study for the regulation of salivary gland functions

Administration of growth factors promotes salisphere formation from irradiated parotid salivary glands.

Worldwide, 500,000 cases of head and neck cancer (HNC) are reported each year and the primary treatment for HNC is radiotherapy. Although the goal of radiotherapy is to target the tumor, secondary exposure occurs in surrounding normal tissues, such as the salivary glands. As a result, despite successful treatment of the cancer, patients are left with long-term side effects due to direct damage to the salivary glands. The effect is chronic and currently there is no treatment. Stem cells are an attractive therapeutic option for treatment of radiation-induced glandular dysfunction because of the potential to regenerate damaged cell populations and restore salivary gland function. However, limited knowledge about the endogenous stem cell population post irradiation hinders the development for stem cell-based therapies. In this study, an ex vivo sphere formation cell culture system was utilized to assess the self-renewal capacity of cells derived from parotid salivary glands at a chronic time point following radiation. Salivary glands from irradiated mice generate significantly fewer salispheres, but can be stimulated with fetal bovine serum (FBS) to generate an equivalent number of salispheres as unirradiated salivary glands. Interestingly, the number and size of salispheres formed is dependent on the concentration of FBS supplemented into the media. Salispheres derived from irradiated glands and cultured in FBS media were found to contain cells that proliferate and express progenitor and acinar cell markers such as Keratin 5, Keratin 14, Aquaporin 5, and NKCC1. Utilization of insulin-like growth factor (IGF1) injections following radiation treatment restores salivary gland function and improves salisphere generation. These findings indicate that stimulation of these cellular populations may provide a promising avenue for the development of cell-based therapies for radiation-induced salivary gland damage.

Predictive value of posttreatment whole body scan for radiation damage to the salivary glands in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Objective To evaluate the predictive value of posttreatment whole body scan (Rx-WBS) for radiation damage to the salivary glands in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). Methods From April 2015 to June 2015, 24 patients (8 males, 16 females; age: 26-64 years) with DTC, who accepted 131I therapy only one time and underwent Rx-WBS 2-4 d after 131I treatment, were recruited from the First Hospital of China Medical University. All patients had normal salivary glands function on salivary gland scintigraphy (SGS) performed on the day before 131I treatment, and 21 patients underwent SGS again 3 months after 131I treatment. The SGS results and clinical manifestations were used to evaluate the function of salivary glands after 131I therapy. Rx-WBS was analyzed by visual analysis and quantitative analysis (salivary gland to background uptake ratios, SUR). The SUR was compared between patient groups with different function of salivary glands. Mann-Whitney u test was used. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to calculate the sensitivity of SUR for predicting the salivary gland damage. Results The SUR in dysfunctional parotid glands (n=12) was significantly higher than that in other glands with normal function (n=30; 3.60(2.55, 4.33) vs 2.75(2.33, 3.29); z=-2.005, P 0.05). The SUR of parotid glands (n=32) in patients with parotitis was significantly higher than that in others (n=16; 3.16(2.53, 4.01) vs 2.49(2.06, 2.81); z=-3.073, P<0.05). The SUR of submandibular glands (n=28) in patients with sialadenitis was significantly higher than that in others (n=20; 4.43(2.67, 7.61) vs 2.93(1.92, 4.65); z=-2.740, P<0.05). When 2.97 and 3.66 were selected as cutoff values, the sensitivities of SUR for predicting parotitis and sialadenitis were 59%(19/32) and 64%(18/28), respectively. Conclusion Rx-WBS may play a role in predicting radiation damage to the salivary glands. Key words: Thyroid neoplasms; Radiotherapy; Iodine radioisotopes; Radiation injuries; Salivary glands; Radionuclide imaging

Model Based Radiation Therapy: Submandibular Dose-Response NTCP-Curve Based on Objective Measurements

Submandibular gland (SMG) normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) curves will be part of model-based indication for proton therapy in the Netherlands. Subjective measurements of xerostomia and sticky saliva reflect whole saliva, and are not suitable for the determination of the SMG NTCP curve. Therefore, we performed direct measurements of salivary flow, including the SMG flow. Based on a large database with a broad mean SMG dose distribution we obtained NTCP curves 6 weeks and 1 year after therapy. We utilized dose-response data of 200 head-and-neck patients, obtained from prospective salivary gland function studies. SMG flow was measured before, 6 weeks, and 1 year after therapy. Thirty patients were treated after unilateral neck dissection. Patients with N2c or N3 nodes were excluded. Tumors were localized in the oropharynx (69%), larynx (14%), nasopharynx (9%), oral cavity (4%), and hypopharynx (3%), 38% were N0, 32% T3-4. Treatment consisted of conventional RT, non-SMG sparing IMRT, SMG sparing IMRT, in 34, 84, and 82 patients, respectively. The mean dose to the ipsilateral submandibular gland was 62Gy, for the contralateral submandibular gland 47 Gy (range 0-72 Gy). Flow rates were converted to the baseline unilateral SMG flow rate, and compared with the contralateral SMG mean dose. Data were fitted to logistic regression (LR) and the Lyman-Kutcher-Burman (LKB) model, with a complication defined as a flow 6 weeks/ 1 year after therapy <25% of the flow before therapy [1]. There was a highly significant correlation between increasing mean SMG dose and decreasing absolute and relative SMG flow 6 weeks and 1 year after therapy. Mean contralateral SMG dose could be divided in five groups: ≤30 Gy (n=30), 30-40 Gy (28) 40-50 Gy (32), 50-60 Gy (57), > 60 Gy (53), the complication rate at 6 weeks was 22%, 50%, 73%, 76% and 86%, respectively; at 1 year 30%, 31%, 75%, 86% and 94%, respectively (P<.001). The D50 after 6 weeks was 31 Gy (95% CI 24-37), and 28 Gy (95% CI 21-34) after 1 year after analysis with the LKB model; 33 Gy (26-40) and 34 Gy (28-40), respectively, using the LR model. This NTCP-curve for submandibular gland function is based on the largest database of objective measurements in the literature. For planning purposes, usually a mean SMG-dose constraint of 40 Gy is chosen. We recommend a mean SMG dose of less than 30 Gy. [1] Dijkema et al. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2010:78;449-453.

Reduced salivary amylase activity in metabolic syndrome patients with obesity could be improved by treatment with a dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor

The present study is to investigate the salivary gland function of metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients, as indicated by salivary flow rate, amylase activity, and salivary oxidative stress, by measuring MDA level. One hundred and eighty-one MetS patients from Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital were enrolled onto this study. The metabolic parameters of each patient were collected and evaluated. Unstimulated saliva was also collected for 5min. Salivary gland functions, including salivary flow rate, amylase activity, and salivary MDA levels, were investigated. High levels of triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, blood pressure, and waist circumference in MetS patients did not show a correlation with altered salivary gland function. However, a decrease in salivary flow rate was observed in MetS patients with hyperglycemia. In addition, decreased amylase activity was found in MetS patients with obesity (BMI ≥ 23kg/m2). Salivary amylase activity of MetS patients treated with dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitor was significantly greater than that observed in MetS patients without a DPP-IV inhibitor. Moreover, the salivary amylase activity in MetS patients was found to be independently positively correlated with DPP-IV inhibitor therapy (r = 0.708, p < 0.01). These findings suggest that obesity and hyperglycemia in MetS patients were associated with the impairment of salivary glands. Treatment with a DPP-IV inhibitor was found to exert beneficial effects on the salivary gland. This study demonstrated the impairment of salivary glands of MetS patients and the beneficial effect of DPP-IV inhibitor treatment in the salivary glands.

Cross-Sectional Imaging Techniques and Normal Anatomy of the Salivary Glands.

The salivary glands play an important role in digestion and oral hygiene, and give rise to a variety of benign and malignant pathologies. In suspected pathology, the goal of imaging is to confirm a lesion as being of salivary gland origin, narrow the list of differential considerations, define the extent of disease, and guide further management decisions. This review outlines the function, embryologic development, anatomy, and normal imaging features of the major salivary glands. The article also discusses imaging indications, the general approach to imaging the salivary glands, and the commonly used cross-sectional techniques used for evaluating the salivary gland.

Safety and Efficacy of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Radiation-Induced Xerostomia: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Phase 1/2 Trial (MESRIX)

Salivary gland hypofunction and xerostomia are major complications to head and neck radiotherapy. This trial assessed the safety and efficacy of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell (ASC) therapy for radiation-induced xerostomia. This randomized, placebo-controlled phase 1/2 trial included 30 patients, randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive ultrasound-guided transplantation of ASCs or placebo to the submandibular glands. Patients had previously received radiotherapy for a T1-2, N0-2A, human papillomavirus-positive, oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. The primary outcome was the change in unstimulated whole salivary flow rate, measured before and after the intervention. All assessments were performed one month prior (baseline) and one and four months following ASC or placebo administration. No adverse events were detected. Unstimulated whole salivary flow rates significantly increased in the ASC-arm at one (33%; P=.048) and four months (50%; P=.003), but not in the placebo-arm (P=.6 and P=.8), compared to baseline. The ASC-arm symptom scores significantly decreased on the xerostomia and VAS questionnaires, in the domains of thirst (-22%, P=.035) and difficulties in eating solid foods (-2%, P=.008) after four months compared to baseline. The ASC-arm showed significantly improved salivary gland functions of inorganic element secretion and absorption, at baseline and four months, compared to the placebo-arm. Core-needle biopsies showed increases in serous gland tissue and decreases in adipose and connective tissues in the ASC-arm compared to the placebo-arm (P=.04 and P=.02, respectively). MRIs showed no significant differences between groups in gland size or intensity (P<.05). ASC therapy for radiation-induced hypofunction and xerostomia was safe and significantly improved salivary gland functions and patient-reported outcomes. These results should encourage further exploratory and confirmatory trials.

Activation of Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) and Sjögren Syndrome

Sjögren syndrome (SS), a chronic autoimmune disorder causing dry mouth, adversely affects the overall oral health in patients. Activation of innate immune responses and excessive production of type I interferons (IFNs) play a critical role in the pathogenesis of this disorder. Recognition of nucleic acids by cytosolic nucleic acid sensors is a major trigger for the induction of type I IFNs. Upon activation, cytosolic DNA sensors can interact with the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) protein, and activation of STING causes increased expression of type I IFNs. The role of STING activation in SS is not known. In this study, to investigate whether the cytosolic DNA sensing pathway influences SS development, female C57BL/6 mice were injected with a STING agonist, dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid (DMXAA). Salivary glands (SGs) were studied for gene expression and inflammatory cell infiltration. SG function was evaluated by measuring pilocarpine-induced salivation. Sera were analyzed for cytokines and autoantibodies. Primary SG cells were used to study the expression and activation of STING. Our data show that systemic DMXAA treatment rapidly induced the expression of Ifnb1, Il6, and Tnfa in the SGs, and these cytokines were also elevated in circulation. In contrast, increased Ifng gene expression was dominantly detected in the SGs. The type I innate lymphoid cells present within the SGs were the major source of IFN-γ, and their numbers increased significantly within 3 d of treatment. STING expression in SGs was mainly observed in ductal and interstitial cells. In primary SG cells, DMXAA activated STING and induced IFN-β production. The DMXAA-treated mice developed autoantibodies, sialoadenitis, and glandular hypofunction. Our study demonstrates that activation of the STING pathway holds the potential to initiate SS. Thus, apart from viral infections, conditions that cause cellular perturbations and accumulation of host DNA within the cytosol should also be considered as possible triggers for SS.

Radioactive iodine: An unappreciated threat to salivary gland function.

Thyroid cancer is an endocrine malignancy whose prevalence is increasing in the United States. Nearly 57,000 new cases of thyroid cancer are estimated to be diagnosed in 2017. The standard of care for differentiated thyroid cancer is thyroidectomy followed by ablation of thyroid remnants with high-dose radioactive iodine (131 I). Apart from thyroid glands, 131 I accumulates in cells of salivary glands and compromises its function. Xerostomia is, therefore, a frequent and often persistent complaint of patients. Despite adoption of standard preventive measures, parenchymal damage and chronic salivary dysfunction are observed in a substantial number of patients. Saliva is important for oral homeostasis, and its reduction increases the risk of oral morbidity. As differentiated thyroid cancer patients have an excellent survival rate, preservation of salivary gland function carries added significance. A focus on treatments that preserve or restore long-term salivary flow can significantly improve the quality of life of thyroid cancer survivors.

Sialendoscopy enhances salivary gland function in Sjögren’s syndrome: a 6-month follow-up, randomised and controlled, single blind study

ObjectivesTo assess the effect of sialendoscopy of the major salivary glands on salivary flow and xerostomia in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome (SS).MethodsForty-nine patients with SS were randomly assigned to a...