الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Background: Salivary glands intensively deteriorate when exposed to radiotherapy with a resultant reduction in saliva production and developing xerostomia-associated complications. Botox®, A commercially available botulinum neurotoxin A performs chemical denervation and degranulation of salivary acinar cells. Objective: To investigate histopathologically whether pretreatment botulinum toxin could potentially protect the gland cells from the deleterious effects of ionizing radiation. Material and Methods: 20 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 2 equal groups. Submandibular salivary glands were intraglandularly injected by either 2.5 U of botulinum in one group or an equal amount of saline in the other group before being exposed locally to 15 Gy of Cs137 γ-irradiation. 30 days later, glands were harvested for histopathological assessment and calculation of acinar surface area. Results: Botulinum-injected glands retained a near-normal acinar architecture better than the saline group that showed marked serous atrophy and degeneration. Ductal and mucous cells were more radioresistant. A statistically significant difference existed between both groups in regards to serous acinar surface area P value < 0.05 Conclusion: Botulinum neurotoxin protected murine salivary gland acinar cells from ionizing radiation.