Morphological and Functional State of Major Salivary Glands under Conditions of Aluminum Chloride Excess in Drinking Water

摘要

Morphology and function of the major salivary glands were studied in 50 albino rats drinking water supplemented with aluminum chloride for 2 weeks. Against the background of normal gland appearance, the salivation function and the composition of the saliva were changed: the concentrations of sodium and calcium ions and alpha-amylase activity were reduced. In parallel, cholesterol content was increased by 54%.Aluminum is a widespread mineral and living organisms appeared to be sufficiently adapted to this element during evolution. For instance, low absorption rate for aluminum salts in the gastrointestinal tract and high rate of aluminum excretion in the kidneys are typical of humans. This situation dramatically changed after appearance of artificial water-soluble aluminum compounds; moreover, these compounds can be easy delivered into blood flow during some medical procedures (hemodialysis). For instance, aluminum chloride enters the composition of antiperspirants, because it inhibits transpiration in the axillary region [13]. It was shown that long-term exposure to this compound for the treatment of hyperhidrosis can be associated with structural and functional degeneration of perspiratory gland acini [9]. However, little is known about the response of the major salivary gland to aluminum. Aluminum nitrate was previously found to distort the salivation function of the parotid gland [4].