Effect of Metronidazole on the Oxidoreductive Processes in the Submandibular and Parotid Glands in Experimental Research

Oxidative stress takes part in the pathomechanisms of many diseases, including oral disorders. The imbalance between oxidative and antioxidative processes may lead to periodontitis, osteitis, or oral cancers. Furthermore, many chemotherapeutics, e.g., metronidazole (MTZ), may also cause toxic reactions and affect oxidative reactions. The research focused on MTZ influence on oxidative destruction in the parotid and submandibular gland tissue in animal experimental model. Therefore, the concentrations of enzymatic and nonenzymatic markers of oxidative stress were measured in these two rat glands in the control and experimental MTZ-treated groups. The material for analysis included parotid and submandibular glands of male Wistar rats, which were treated with metronidazole for 7 days by gastric tube in a dose of 100 mg/kg b.w. On day 8, the material was obtained and frozen in temp. −80°C. Then, the following seven enzymatic and nonenzymatic parameters were measured: GPx, TOS, TAS, SOD, LPO, CAT, and GSH. The data were analysed using Statistica 10.0. Metronidazole treatment in the experimental model showed an increase in LPO, TOS, and TOS/TAS and a decrease in CAT, SOD, GPx, and TAS. The conclusions of this research were made. Metronidazole treatment in a dose of 100 mg/kg b.w. caused imbalance between oxidative and antioxidative reactions in the rat parotid and submandibular glands. An increase was observed in LPO, TOS, and TOS/TAS in both glands exposed to metronidazole. Decreased activity of CAT, SOD, GPx, and TAS was noted, which indicates attenuation of the gland antioxidative protective barrier.

MICROSCOPICAL ASPECTS CONCERNING THE PRESENCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF MITOCHONDRIA IN INTRALOBULAR AND INTERLOBULAR DUCTS FROM RAT PAROTID GLAND

Saliva secreted by acini from parotid gland is concentrated in the excretory ducts. This study aims to highlight certain microscopical aspects concerning the presence, density and disposition of mitochondria in intralobular and interlobular ducts from parotid parenchyma in rats. In the intralobular ducts’ segment lined by cuboidal cells, mitochondria are present throughout the whole cytoplasm, without a regular arrangement. In the area where cells are columnar, mitochondria become more numerous and most of them are disposed in the basal half and have a regular disposition (perpendicular to the basal pole). In the interlobular ducts, mitochondria are somehow less, but their disposition is similar to the one in the previous segment. In intralobular ducts with a thin wall, mitochondria have an irregular disposition and are present throughout the whole cytoplasm, while in striated and interlobular ducts, they have a regular disposition, perpendicularly on the basal pole of the cell and most of them are concentrated in the basal half of the cell.