Introduction: Obesity affects multiple organs in the body including salivary glands resulting in secretory dysfunction. The selective water channels, aquaporins (AQPs) have a role in salivary secretion.
Aim of the work: As far as the authors know, no previous research has been done to investigate the effect of a high fat diet on AQ8 localization in sublingual glands (SLGs).
Materials and methods: 12 male Sprague-Dawley albino rats were equally divided into two groups: a control group and a high fat diet (HFD) group. After 12 weeks, their blood glucose, insulin, serum triglyceride, cholesterol, HDL and LDL were evaluated. SLGs were dissected out and stained by H&E, PAS/Alcian and immunohistochemically using anti-smooth muscle actin (α SMA) and anti- AQ8 antibodies.
Results: Compared to the control group, blood insulin resistance. Serum triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL levels were highly significantly increased, while HDL was highly significantly decreased. HFD SLGs were distorted with vacuolations, thick fibrous septa and congested blood vessels. Diameters were decreased. Image analysis of PAS/Alcian and α SMA showed a highly significant increase in the (alcian blue) and a significant increase in the area % of α SMA, while the expression of AQ8 was highly significant decreased compared to the control group.
Conclusion: The decreased AQ8 immunoexpression in HFD rats might contribute to gland 'secretory dysfunction.