Introduction: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is considered as a regulator of cells' growth and differentiation. Ki-67 is a broadly known nuclear protein accompanied by cell growth as well as division. Colchicine is a traditional mitotic inhibitor used in treating several diseases.
Objectives: To assess Colchicine administration outcome on the histology of filiform papillae with the TGF-β and Ki-67 immunohistochemical expression.
Design: Forty male albino rats (200-250gm) were employed in the study. Animals were assigned equally as two groups, Control Group: received no drug and Colchicine treated group: received Colchicine (3mg/Kg/day) for 7 days. After sacrifice, processing of tongue specimens was done, then the slides were stained by Hematoxylin and Eosin, anti-TGF-β and anti-Ki-67. Area% of positive TGF-β and number of Ki-67 positive cells were statistically analyzed.
Results: Histologically, Colchicine treated group showed shortened and narrowed simple conical filiform papillae with increased interpapillary areas. The epithelial covering revealed some dark hyperchromatic nuclei and vacuolations. Thickness of lamina propria and connective tissue (CT) cores were reduced with few fibroblasts, dilated and congested blood vessels. The papillae of Colchicine group showed wide distribution of strong intensity positive TGF-β immunoreactivity in both epithelial and CT cells, in addition to low intensity few positive Ki-67 basal and parabasal cells with rare positive CT cells. Statistical analysis showed highly significant increase in positive area% of TGF-β and highly significant decrease in Ki-67 positive epithelial as well as CT cells in this group when compared to the control.
Conclusions: Colchicine induced degenerative histological changes in filiform papillae, in addition to a highly significant increase of TGF-β and a highly significant decrease of Ki-67 immunohistochemical expression.