Nifedipine-induced histological changes in the parotid glands of hypertensive rats

Abstract

Nifedipine is a widely used anti-anginal and anti-hypertensiveagent. It is associated with significant gingival changes attributedmore to collagen hyperplasia than to enhancement of proteinsynthesis. We investigated the influence of nifedipine on morphologicalchanges in the parotid glands of rats in a model of hypertension.Twenty-eight male Wistar rats (8-10 weeks; 200 ± 15 g) were dividedinto four groups (A-D). Hypertension was induced by surgical meansin groups C and D. Animals in groups B and D were treated with nifedipine(0.85 mg/kg) via a gastroesophageal catheter the day after surgery(experimental day-1) for 2 weeks. A significant difference was observedbetween the control group and nifedipine group and betweenthe control group and hypertension group with regard to the weightof the parotid gland and its surface area. Histological findings demonstratedchanges in the parotid glands of hypertensive animals withmild vessel dilatation and infiltration of inflammatory cells. These histologicalfindings seemed to be due more to changes in venous functionthan to alterations in gland architecture.