Ascorbic acid alleviates oxidative stress and improves major salivary glands’ structure and function in diabetic rats: A histological and immunohistochemical study

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus and the associated hyperglycemia trigger oxidative damage to tissues and organs. DM is obviously related to the salivary glands’ dysfunction. Ascorbic acid is a powerful dietary antioxidant. In this study, we investigated the ascorbic acid’s putative potential to conserve the structure and function of the major salivary glands in diabetic patients. Adult male albino rats (n = 24) were equally divided into four groups: Group I (control, only distilled water), Group II (ascorbic acid 200 mg/Kg/day), Group III (experimentally-induced diabetes by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin 60 mg/kg), and Group IV (ascorbic acid after one week of diabetes induction). Blood glucose level was assessed. After eight weeks, samples from the salivary glands were processed for histopathological and immunohistochemical examination. Group III showed degenerative changes in the salivary glands and increased collagen deposition, whereas the glycoprotein content and antiapoptotic activity decreased. Group IV showed marked histologic and functional improvement. Although further research is required to fully understand its mode of action, ascorbic acid is advised as an adjuvant medication for diabetes to keep the integrity of major salivary glands.

Keywords

• DM
• Salivary glands
• Ascorbic acid
• Antioxidant
• Histopathology
• Immunohistochemical