COMPARATIVE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF SUBMAXILLARY SALIVARY-GLANDS FROM MICE TREATED WITH CYTOSINE-ARABINOSIDE, CYCLOCYTIDINE, AND ANHYDRO-ARA-5-FLUOROCYTIDINE

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 60  (7) , 881-888
Abstract
The effects of cytosine arabinoside (ara-C), cyclocytidine (cyclo-C) and anhydro-ara-5-fluorocytidine (AAFC) on the ultrastructure of the serous and mucous cells of the submaxillary salivary glands were evaluated in normal BDF1 mice. Rapid loss of zymogen granules from serous cells and a discharge of mucous cell contents were observed within the 1st h after administration of a single i.v. dose of cyclo-C. Serous cells were essentially devoid of granules (1-3 .mu.m) within 3 h. Regranulation observed initially at 6 h produced a population of microgranules (.apprx. 0.8 .mu.m) by 24 h. Most serous cells contained a reduced complement of small granules through 96 h after cyclo-C. Mucous cells recovered secretory content within 3-6 h after drug administration. Neither ara-C nor AAFC produced zymogen granule, mucous discharge or other cytopathologic effects in murine submaxillary salivary glands. Cyclo-C itself is the probable secretogogue. The ultrastructural changes observed in this study provide a cytopathologic correlate of the salivary gland dysfunctions reported to follow the administration of cyclo-C to man during cancer treatment.