AN ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC STUDY OF THE IRRADIATION EFFECTS ON THE STRIATED DUCT CELLS OF THE SUBMANDIBULAR GLAND IN RATS

방사선 조사가 백서 악하선 줄무늬관세포에 미치는 영향에 관한 투과전자현미경적 연구

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of irradiation on the striated duct cells of the rat submandibular gland ductal tissues which control the characteristics of saliva. For this study, the experimental group was composed of 36 irradiated Sprague Dawley strain rats divided into 8 subgroups 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours after irradiation. 4 non-irradiated rats were used as the control group. The experimental animals were singly irradiated with a dose of 18Gy gamma ray to their head and neck region by the Co-6- teletherapy unit and sacrificed after each experimental duration. The specimens were examined with a light microscope with an H-E stain and with a trans- mission electron microscope. The results of this study were as follows. In the light micrograph, a severe atrophic change occurred in the striated duct cells at 2hours after irradiation and gradual recovery occurred from 6 hours after irradiation. 2. The nuclear chromosomes of the striated duct cells were changed granular at 2 hours after irradiation. Recovery was observed at 6 hours after irradiation. Nuclear bodies were also observed from 3 hours after irradiation. 3. The mitochondria of the striated duct cells had indistinct cristae at 2 hours after irradiation, and were degenerated or swollen at 3 hours after irradiation. They recovered, however, from 6 hours, with an increasing number at 48 hours and a regular arrangement was observed at 72 hours after irradiation. 4. The microvilli showed atrophic changes at 2 hours after irradiation and were almost lost at 3 hours after irradiation. They were observed again from 48 hours after irradiation. 5. The rough endoplasmic reticulum and golgi body were not apparent at 1 hour after irradiation and were dilated with degeneration 2 hours after, but intact rough endoplasmic reticulum were observed from 3 hours after irradiation and developed well at 24 hours after irradiation. By the result of this study, showing a mild change in the functional morphology of the salivary striated duct cells immediately following irradiation, it is considered that the many complications which occur after radiation therapy, will disappear in time with the histological and the functional recovery of the glandular tissues.