Morphometric Study of Diabetes Related Alterations in Human Parotid Gland and Comparison with Submandibular Gland

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus represents one of the principal diseases that afflict the world population and is often associated with malfunction of salivary glands and consequent oral diseases. We recently described significant ultrastructural alterations in the human submandibular gland in diabetic patients without evident oral pathologies. Herein, an analogs morphometrical investigation was focused on the parotid gland in order to evaluate if one of the two glands is more affected by diabetes. Parotid fragments from diabetic and nondiabetic patients were fixed, dehydrated, and processed for light and electron microscopy. Serous cells were randomly photographed and the density and size of several structures involved in the secretory process were examined by morphometry. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed significant changes in the number of apically docked granules and vesicles, suggesting that the last steps in exocytosis are somehow altered in diabetic cells. Other variables analyzed by light and transmission electron microscopy such as the size of acini and secretory granules did not show significant changes, but comparison with previous data obtained with submandibular gland cells demonstrated that the two glands are affected differently.