Alterations in ADAMTS12 gene expression in salivary glands of radioiodine-131-administered rats

PurposeThe aim of this study was to evaluate the alterations in ADAMTS12 expression after radioiodine-131 (RAI)-induced salivary gland damage.Materials and methodsA total of 30 Wistar male albino rats (26045g, 6 months old) were studied for ADAMTS12 gene expression levels and histological changes in the parotid and submandibular salivary glands of rats after the administration of RAI. A series of healthy rats were used as controls. A 3mCi (111MBq) dose of RAI was administered to rats in group 1 (n=6), group 2 (n=6), group 3 (n=6), and group 4 (n=6) to induce salivary gland damage. Evaluations were performed at 24h in controls and at 4, 24h, 7, and 30 days after the administration of RAI. Quantitative and statistical analyses were carried out.ResultsIn RAI-administered groups, the mean values of ADAMTS12 gene expression showed a distinct suppression over time for the parotid gland (groups 1-4: 0.38, 0.11, 0.10, and 0.18, respectively; P<0.05), but the values remained similar over time for the submandibular gland (groups 1-4: 1.59, 1.57, 1.03, and 1.00, respectively; P>0.05) compared with the controls. Histological evaluation indicated that RAI-administered groups had significant common nuclear coarsening and focal subnuclear vacuolization, but not in the control samples. Histological changes were more prominent in the parotid gland samples.ConclusionAlterations in ADAMTS12 gene expression may play a role in RAI-induced salivary gland damage in rats. Copyright (C) 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.