Epithelial–stromal interactions in salivary glands of rats exposed to chronic passive smoking

The effects of cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking on salty taste preferences based on Korean Community Health Survey data

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Excessive sodium intake, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption are risk factors for a wide range of diseases. This study aimed to determine whether smokers and drinkers are more likely to enjoy their food with more salt, and whether the combination of smoking and drinking is associated with salty taste preferences.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

This study analyzed the data of over 16 million Koreans from two four-year Korean Community Health Survey cycles (i.e., 2010 to 2013 and 2014 to 2017). The respondents' preferences for salty foods (i.e., their salt intake levels, whether they added salt or soy sauce to foods served on the table, and whether they dipped fried foods in salt or soy sauce), and the odds ratio (OR) of their preference were examined among smokers and drinkers when adjusted for sex, age, body mass index, educational level, household income, marital status, and cigarette smoking or alcohol consumption status.

RESULTS

Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption were correlated with the consumption of salty food. Based on the adjusted model, cigarette smokers and alcohol drinkers preferred adding salt or soy sauce or dipping fried foods in soybean more than non-smokers and non-drinkers. In addition, people who smoked and consumed alcohol reported a more significant stacking effect regarding the salty taste preference.

CONCLUSION

This large population-based study found that both cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption were correlated with salty taste preferences, which may cause excessive sodium intake.

Effects of Heat-Not-Burn Cigarette Smoking on the Secretion of Saliva and Its Innate Immune System Components

Saliva and salivary antimicrobial proteins play important roles in the innate immunity, which prevents infections of orally invading bacteria and viruses. In this study, we compared the secretion rates of salivary lactoferrin (Lac) and lysozyme (Lys) in heat-not-burn (HNB) cigarette smokers and non-smokers. The analysis population for this study included 212 members of the fire department, including 32 HNB cigarette smokers, 17 paper cigarette smokers, 14 combined HNB and paper cigarette smokers, and 149 non-smokers. Salivary Lac and Lys concentrations were assessed using enzyme immunoassay. Saliva secretion was significantly lower among HNB cigarette smokers (p < 0.01) than among non-smokers. Accompanying this result, salivary Lac and Lys secretion rates were significantly lower among smokers, particularly HNB cigarette smokers, than among non-smokers (all p < 0.01). Our findings suggest a possible adverse effect of HNB cigarette on the amount of Lac and Lys released into the oral cavity.

Impact of passive smoking on renal vascular morphology

Objective

To determine whether passive smoking causes morphological and structural changes in the arcuate arteries of rats exposed for 7 to 28 days.

Methods

Wistar rats aged eight weeks and weighing 260g on average were allocated to a Control or a Smoker Group. Groups were further divided into 4 groups containing 5 animals each. Morphological-functional analysis of the right kidneys was carried out after 7 and 28 days of exposure to the smoke of 40 cigarettes per day. Cigarettes were burned at set times using automated cigarette-burning equipment (“Smoking Machine” - SM-MC-01). At the end of each exposure period, the kidneys were dissected and submitted to histological processing for morphological and quantitative analysis.

Results

Exposure to cigarette smoke for 7 days led to a decrease in inner vascular diameter. Decreased thickness of the vascular tunica media was observed after exposure for 28 days. Increased thickness of the tunica adventitia, increased total vascular wall thickness, increased total vascular diameter and qualitative increase in collagen deposition were observed. Vascular volume increased after 28 days of exposure.

Conclusion

Passive smoking has a negative impact on renal vasculature.

Overexpression of HIF-1α and Morphological Alterations in the Tongue of Rats Exposed To Secondhand Smoke

Smoking is a risk factor for serious health problems and is associated with several changes in the tissues of the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the collagen percentage, mast cells density, intensity of immunolabeled cells by anti-HIF-1α in the musculature lingual of rats exposed to secondhand smoke. Twenty-seven female Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: rats not exposed to tobacco smoke inhalation (Control group) (n=7); rats exposed to smoke inhalation for 30 days (TAB 30) (n=10); and rats exposed to smoke inhalation for 45 days (TAB 45) (n=10). Subsequently, the animals were submitted to euthanasia and removal of the tongue for histological and immunohistochemistry processing and analysis. In the groups TAB 30 and TAB 45 there were a lower percentage of collagen, a higher density of mast cells and a greater intensity of anti-HIF-1α immunolabeled cells compared to Control group. There was also a positive and significant correlation between the percentage of collagen and mast cell density. There was not significative difference between TAB 30 e TAB 45 in any of the parameters evaluated. Therefore, the exposure of rats to secondhand smoke for 45 days causes decrease in perimysial collagen fibers, increase in the number of mast cells and increase in the immunolabeling for HIF-1α in lingual muscle cells. The present study was the first to evaluate the percentage of collagen, mast cell density and immunostaining for HIF-1α in rat tongues exposed to tobacco smoke.

Effects of active and passive smoking on salivary cytokines levels in rats: A pilot study

Cigarette smoking is an established risk factor for some oral diseases. As an essential fluid in the oral cavity, saliva is crucial to maintain oral health. Relative to active smoking, there are very few studies assessing the effect of passive smoking on salivary cytokines levels. In the present study, we established the rat models by the means of the intraoral cigarette smoking or whole body cigarette smoke exposure to simulate human active or passive smoking, respectively. The effects of active or passive smoking on salivary cytokines levels were assessed by using ProcartaPlex multiplex immunoassays. The results of the current study indicated that both active and passive smoking diminished the body weights of rats and increased the levels of some blood counts. Intriguingly, active smoking enhanced the salivary levels of IL-6 and IL-12 p70 and passive smoking elevated the salivary IL-6 level. Moreover, active smoking appeared to have a more prominent activation effect on the salivary IL-6 level. It was noted that active or passive smoking had no significant effect on the salivary IFN-γ level. Active or passive smoking could have potential effects on the salivary levels of some pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Does laser phototherapy influence the proliferation of myoepithelial cells in the salivary gland of hypothyroid rats?

Thyroid hormones influence both development and growth of organs and tissues and guarantee metabolic demands that interfere with the quality of digestive secretions, including those of the salivary glands. Laser phototherapy - LPT can modulate various biological phenomena and its diverse effects permit the action on different cell types. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of laser phototherapy on myoepithelial cells of salivary glands of hypothyroid rats. Forty-two albino Wistar rats were divided into two main groups: euthyroid (EU) and hypothyroid (HYPO). Hypothyroidism was induced using propylthiouracil (PTU) for 4weeks. Each group was divided into subgroups: control (without laser) and laser groups (Red/infrared - IR). LPT was used on the submandibular gland and was carried out using a diode laser (λ660 or λ780nm, 40mW, spot size 0.04cm², irradiation area 1cm², 300s, 6J/cm² per gland, 12J/cm² per session) and started two weeks after PTU treatment. LPT was repeated every other day for two weeks. After animal death, the glands were removed, dissected and processed for immunohistochemical analysis. It was observed an increase in the number of myoepithelial cells of hypothyroid control rats in comparison to euthyroid controls (p=0.001). Visible LPT (λ660nm) caused significant higher proliferation of myoepithelial cells in EU rats when compared to IR LPT (λ 780nm)(p≤0.001).It is concluded that, despite the LPT protocol used did not influence myoepithelial proliferation on hypothyroid rats it significantly increased the proliferation on euthyroid animals.

Effect of cigarette smoke on gustatory sensitivity, evaluation of the deficit and of the recovery time-course after smoking cessation

BACKGROUND

Study results have shown that chronic exposure to cigarette smoke affects the taste function in humans. However, neither the quantitative impact on taste sensitivity nor the time-course of taste recovery on stopping smoking have been precisely examined.

METHODS

The experimental design included 2 phases, (i) a case-control phase comparing the taste sensitivity level measured by Electrogustometric (EGM) thresholds from various parts of the tongue (locus) between smokers (n = 83) and non-smokers (n = 48), (ii) a follow-up study looking at the taste sensitivity recovery in smokers after smoking cessation (n = 24) and compared with non-smokers.

RESULTS

Smokers exhibited significantly lower taste sensitivity than non-smokers - the higher the nicotine dependence (Fagerström scores), the lower the taste sensitivity. After smoking cessation, EGM thresholds decreased progressively, and reached the taste sensitivity range of non-smokers depending on locus and time. After 2 weeks a recovery could be observed on the 3 Tip and the 2 edge loci; the recovery in the posterior loci was complete after 9 weeks, and in the dorsal loci recovery was observed only after 2 months or more.

CONCLUSIONS

Smoking cessation does lead to a rapid recovery of taste sensitivity among smokers, with recovery time found to differ based on the sensitivity of loci of the tongue. The use of EGM could potentially be explored as a motivational tool for smoking cessation.

INFLUENCE OF TOBACCO, ALCOHOL AND DIABETES ON THE COLLAGEN OF CREMASTER MUSCLE IN PATIENTS WITH INGUINAL HERNIAS

Background:

New findings point out that the mechanism of formation of the hernias can be related to the collagenous tissues, under activity of aggressive agents such as the tobacco, alcohol and diabetes.

Aim:

To analyze the collagen present in the cremaster muscle in patients with inguinal hernias, focusing the effect of tobacco, alcohol, and diabetes.

Methods:

Fifteen patients with inguinal hernia divided in three groups were studied: group I (n=5) was control; group II (n=5) were smokers and/or drinkers; and group III (n=5) had diabetes mellitus. All subjects were underwent to surgical repair of the inguinal hernias obeying the same pre, intra and postoperative conditions. During surgery, samples of the cremaster muscle were collected for analysis in polarized light microscopy, collagen morphometry and protein.

Results:

The area occupied by the connective tissue was higher in groups II and III (p<0.05). The collagen tissue occupied the majority of the samples analyzed in comparison to the area occupied by muscle cells. The content of total protein was higher in groups II and III compared to the control group (p<0.05).

Conclusion:

The tobacco, alcohol and diabetes cause a remodel the cremaster muscle, leading to a loss of support or structural change in this region, which may enhance the occurrences and damage related to inguinal hernias.

Independent and joint exposure to passive smoking and cooking oil fumes on oral cancer in Chinese women: a hospital-based case-control study

CONCLUSIONS

Passive smoking and COF exposure are independent risk factors for oral cancer in Chinese women, with the multiplicative interactions from combined exposures. Avoiding exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and COF may contribute to the prevention of oral cancer in Chinese women.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the independent and joint effects of passive smoking and cooking oil fumes (COF) on oral cancer in Chinese women.

METHODS

A case-control study was performed including 238 female patients with pathologically confirmed oral cancer and 470 controls as age-matched controls. Face-to-face interviews were conducted based on a structured questionnaire. The effects of passive smoking and COF exposure were analyzed using non-conditional logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Passive smoking significantly increased the risk of oral cancer in Chinese women: adjusted ORs were 2.12 (95% CI = 1.11-4.07) for those only exposed before age 18, 1.52 (95% CI = 1.01-2.31) for those only exposed after age 18, and 2.38 (95% CI = 1.47-3.85) for those both exposed before and after age 18. In addition, COF exposure was significantly associated with a risk of oral cancer (adjusted ORs were 1.69 (95% CI = 1.03-2.78) for light exposure and 2.06 (95% CI = 1.21-3.50) for heavy exposure). Furthermore, there was a significantly multiplicative interaction between passive smoking and COF for oral cancer.

Evaluation of salivary and serum lipid peroxidation, and glutathione in oral leukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma

Lipid peroxidation induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is involved in the pathogenesis of malignancy. Overall, lipid peroxidation levels are indicated by malondialdehyde (MDA), which is the most frequently used biomarker to detect oxidative changes. Antioxidant defense systems such as glutathione (GSH) limit cell injury induced by ROS. Therefore, MDA and GSH can be used to monitor oxidative stress (OS). Hence, this study aimed to evaluate and compare both salivary and serum levels of MDA and GSH in oral leukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients, and healthy controls. The study included 100 subjects comprising 30 apparently healthy controls, 30 patients with oral leukoplakia and 40 clinically and histologically diagnosed patients with OSCC. Saliva and blood samples were obtained and evaluated for MDA and GSH. The study revealed enhanced MDA levels in saliva and serum in oral leukoplakia and OSCC patients as compared to controls. On the other hand, significant decreases were seen in serum and salivary GSH levels in oral leukoplakia and OSCC patients as compared to controls. Augmentation of OS in blood and saliva is reflected by increase in MDA and decrease in GSH levels, indicating that tumor processes cause an imbalance of oxidant-antioxidant status in cell structures.

Effects of anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody in salivary glands of spontaneously diabetic mice

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus results in many complications, also compromising the salivary glands. The current treatment for this condition should be a substituting method to exogenous insulin. In this aspect, the immunotherapy has been tested, but, it can be inefficient as an agent for the control of damage caused by diabetes. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody as alternative immunotherapy in the recovery of salivary glands of spontaneously diabetic NOD (nonobese diabetic) mice.

METHODS

NOD mice were divided into two groups of 10 animals: group I (untreated diabetic mice) and group II (anti-CD3-treated diabetic mice). After treatment, the samples of salivary glands were collected for histological examination under both transmitted and polarized light microscopy.

RESULTS

Alterations in tissue architecture; increase in extracellular matrix and presence of inflammatory process were observed in untreated animals. Recovery of the salivary acinar cells occurred in treated animals. The parotid glands demonstrated a smaller amount of collagen fibers and were not observed severe inflammatory processes.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that immunotherapy contributed to reestablishment of tissue damaged by the hyperglycemic condition, demonstrating that the immunomodulation plays an important role in the recovery of salivary glands.

Telocytes in parotid glands

The parotid histological structure includes acinar, ductal, and myoepithelial cells, surrounded by a connective stromal component. The parotid stroma is mostly regarded as an inert shell, consisting of septa, which divide the parenchyma. Telocytes were recently identified as a new stromal cell type in various organs, including exocrine pancreas. We aimed to evaluate telocytes presence in parotid stroma and whether their topographical features might support an involvement in parotid function modulation. Serial ultrathin sections of human and rat parotid glands were studied and compared by transmission electron microscopy. Two-dimensional concatenation of sequenced micrographs allowed the ultrastructural identification of parotid telocytes, with their specific long, thin, and moniliform prolongations (telopodes). Telocyte location appeared frequently as a strategic one, in close contact or vicinity of both secretory (acini and ducts) and regulatory (nerves and blood vessels) apparatuses. They were also found in the interacinar and the subductal stroma. Two previously reported telocyte markers (c-kit/CD117 and vimentin) were assayed by immunohistochemistry. Actin expression was also evaluated. Telocytes are making a network, especially by branching of their long telopodes. Elements of this telocyte network are interacting with each other (homocellular connections) as well as with other cell types (heterocellular connections). These interactions are achieved either by direct contact (stromal synapse), or mediated via shed microvesicles/exosomes. Since telocyte connections include both neurovascular and exocrine elements (e.g., acini and ducts), it is attractive to think that telocytes might mediate and integrate neural and/or vascular input with parotid function.