Rat Parotid Gland Pathophysiology Following 137 Cs Irradiation

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Abstract
Changes in rat parotid gland function were measured between 3 and 30 days following exposure to 1800 R of 137Cs irradiation to the head. Glandular fluid secretion capability as indicated by volume of secretion, maximum rate of secretion, and duration of secretion following pilocarpine stimulation decreased concomitantly with gland weight following irradiation. Thus gland weight is probably indicative of residual glandular potential for fluid secretion following irradiation. The relation between salivary Na concentration and flow rate was assumed to be indicative of glandular electrolyte transport capability. Salivary Na concentrations were not elevated over control values at any flow rate. Therefore, there is no evidence for an irradiation-induced defect in the ductal sodium resorption mechanism. Rather, the observed salivary Na changes are consistent with a decrease in the relative glandular proportion of acini to ducts.