Background: Salbutamol (salb) is a selective β2-adrenergic receptor agonist used for the asthma to relieve bronchospasm. Because of the presence of ß2-adrenoceptors in salivary glands, salbutamol may have an effect on salivary composition. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Salbutamol on ultrastucture of parotid glands.
Materials and Methods: Study group (15 male albino rat) treated with injections of salb, while the control group (15 male albino rat) received saline. Rats were sacrificed at periods of 2 and 7 days of treatment and then one week after stoppage of treatment. The parotid was dissected and processed for transmission electron microscopy.
Results: after 2 days, acinar cells of the salb treated glands showed cytoplasmic vacuolization, granules of different electron densities with few electron dense bodies and rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) with irregularly arranged cisternae. Dense areas of chromatin were observed at the periphery of the nucleus. After 7 days of salb treatment, the nucleus was compressed toward the base of the cell. One week after stoppage of salb, some cytoplasmic alterations still present.
Conclusion: short term treatment with salb drug leads to ultrastructural changes of the parotid and some of these changes still present after one week from cessation of the drug.