Introduction: Acrylamide (ACR) was discovered in foods in 2002, mainly in starchy foods such as potato chips and bread that had been heated higher than 120 °C . It was not found in food that had been boiled or in non heated food. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, its main role is to act as an antioxidant. It also enhances immune function and Vitamin E has the ability to protect cells from free radical damage
Aim of the Work: To study the possible protective role of Vitamin E in Acrylamide induced mammary gland damage in female albino rats through histological and immunohistochemical studies.
Materials and Methods: Forty-five female virgin albino rats weighing 180-250g were used in the study and were subdivided into three groups: Control group (given saline); Acrylamide group (given 10 mg/kg of acrylamide) by oral gavage for 3weeks; Acrylamide + Vitamin E group (given the same dose of acrylamide + vitamin E orally at a dose of 100 mg/kg ) for 3 weeks. Animals of the three groups were sacrificed and mammary glands were excised for H&E, Masson Trichrome and Immunohistochemicalstudies.
Results: Rats received acrylamide showed altered general attitude, generalized malaise with diminished activity up to complete hind limb paralysis these results ameliorated with Vit E administration. ACR-treated mammary glands showed pathological changes in the form of dilated alveolar ducts with pizzar arranged epithelial cells and dark pyknotic nuclei, hypertrophied alveoi with increased collagen deposition fibers found mainly around the ducts and alveoli, there wereincreased in the CASPS-3 expression and expression of the pancytokeratins. VitEadministration appeared to decreasealltheseresultsas seen with histological and Immunohistochemicalstudies.
Conclusions: Addition of vitamin E supplements can produce less damage of mammary glands treated with high dose of Acrylamide.