Objectives: Nowadays there is great evidence of the possible health benefits of olive oil. 2-Nitropropane (2-NP) is a rat liver carcinogen. The present work is focused on the effect of olive oil on the nitropropane-induced submandibular gland changes and to determine the role of TNF-.α.
Methods and materials: BALB/c mice were divided into three groups (10 mice each): control mice, 2- Nitropropane inject group mice, and 2- Nitroprobane inject group treated with Olive. Submandibular gland tissues in the previous groups were histologically studied. TNF-α is investigated by using immunohistochemical technique.
Results: Administration of 100 mg/kg 2-NP to BALB/c mice resulted in well-documented histopatholgical changes in the submandibular salivary glands manifested as degeneration, atrophy and preductal inflammatory cell infiltration. Olive oil administration reduced the 2-NP deleterious effect on the submandibular salivary glands. This was manifested less degenerative and atrophic changes. Immunohistochemical analysis for TNF α was more intense in the second group and weak in the third group.
Conclusions: The findings conclude that 2-NP caused significant tissue damage. Olive oil may attenuate the alterations of 2-NP in BALB/c mice. The expression of TNF-α may be useful as an indicator of 2-NP effect.