STUDY THE INFLUENCE OF ANTIOXIDANT THERAPY ON AGE- RELATED CHANGES IN THE BUCCAL MUCOSA OF RATS (HISTOLOGICAL AND IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION)

Aim The aim of the present work was to study the histological and immunohistochemical impact of antioxidant supplementation on age- related changes in the buccal mucosa of rats using routine H&E stain and immunohistochemical detection of any possible changes in NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa) in the surface epithelium, lamina propria as well as buccal salivary glands.
Materials and methods Fifty young adults albino male rats with average body weight
100± 10 grams and 2 months of age were used in this investigation. The animals were divided into 5 equal groups 10 aminals each. They were caged, 5 animals per cage and fed diet consisting of coarse corn barley and powdered milk. Diet and drinking water were supplied adlibitum throughout the whole experimental period which lasted for 9 months. Group I: animals served as control.
5 animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation after one month to serve as young controls, while the rest remained till the end of the experiment to serve as old controls. Group II: animals received vitamin A. Group III: animals received vitamin C. Group IV: animals received Selenium.
Group V: animals received combined vitamin A, C and Selenium in the same doses given to group II, III, IV respectively. Preparation of the diet mixed with antioxidants were repeated several times until the experiment was over. At the end of the experiment, The animals of different groups were scarified by cervical dislocation. Their buccal mucosa were dissected out, fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, washed, dehydrated in ascending grades of ethyl alcohol, cleared in zylene and embedded in paraffin. Six micron thick sections were cut and stained with Hematoxylin and eosin for histological examination. Masson’s trichrome stains for collagen evaluation. Immunohistochemical localization of NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa) for detection of any possible changes.
Results The histological and immunohistochemical results revealed aging caused atrophic and degenerative changes in the oral mucosa associated with increased expression of nuclear factor kappa. Consuming antioxidant vitamins as vitamin A, vitamin C or selenium separately partially modulates the action of aging process and increase the regenerative capacity of the oral mucosa and oral salivary glands. Consuming combined antioxidant vitamin A, vitamin C and selenium had a powerful and beneficial synergizing antiaging effect on the aforementioned tissues.
Conclusion The balance between oxidation and antioxidation (redox balance) is critical in maintaining a healthy biological system. Our histological and immunohistochemical investigation proved the important role of antioxidant for keeping the integrity and health of the mucous membrane and salivary glands of the buccal mucosa of aging rats under investigation.
Recommendation Improvement of dietary intake by consuming neutral foods rich in antioxidant vitamin A, C and selenium is of utmost importance to gain the antiaging benefits and to prevent age –related degenerative diseases.