Effect of venlafaxine on the mast cells number and immunoexpression of structural and functional proteins in submandibular gland of adults rats

• Grant number: 21/12045-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2022
• End date: February 28, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Histology
• Principal Investigator: Estela Sasso Cerri
• Grantee: Juliana Cerini Grassi de Moraes
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FOAr). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Saliva, produced by Salivary Glands (SGs), is a secretory product composed of several components, which are essential for the structural and functional maintenance of the oral cavity. Among the salivary components, SGs produce epidermal growth factor (EGF), an important factor for oral mucosa regeneration, and the V-ATPase, a proton pump that maintains the salivary pH. Surrounding the glandular epithelium, the actin-rich myoepithelial cells exert contraction and help release saliva into the oral cavity. In the connective tissue, the mast cells produce several proteins, including serotonin, whose function in SGs has not yet been clarified. The consumption of antidepressants has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, and xerostomia (dry mouth) has been one of the most commonly reported oral symptoms. Venlafaxine, an antidepressant of the class of serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, increases the concentrations of these neurotransmitters in the brain, alleviating depression. However, few studies have focused on the impact of this antidepressant on the SGs histophysiology. In this study, we will evaluate the effect of venlafaxine on the structural and functional integrity of the submandibular gland (SMG), focusing on the number of mast cells and immunoexpression of V-ATPase, actin, and EGF. Ten adult male rats will be divided into two groups (n-5): venlafaxine (VFG) and control group (CG). The animals from VFG will receive 30mg/kg b.w. of venlafaxine hydrochloride by gavage for 35 days, and the animals from CG will receive water. SMGs will be processed for paraffin and histories in embedding. Sections will be subjected to immunofluorescence for detection of immunoexpression of EGF, V-ATPase, and actin. Morphometric analyses will also be performed for the measurement of duct diameter and the number of mast cells. The results will be statistically analyzed by Student's t-test (pd0,05).(AU)