Work

The Effect of the Commonly Used Antidepressant Drug Amitriptyline (TCAs) on the Salivary Glands

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Our goal was to evaluate whether amitriptyline harms the salivary glands; we used the S-100 protein as a marker for cell injury.This could partially explain the xerostomia side-effect during amitriptyline treatment.Methods: A total of 35 male albino rats were used in this study and divided into 3 groups.Group I was the control (n = 5).Group II (n=15) rats were treated once daily with a single oral dose of amitriptyline (5 mg/kg) for 8 weeks.Group III (n=15) rats were treated twice daily with amitriptyline (10 mg/kg) for 8 weeks.All rats were sacrificed and the submandibular glands were dissected and stained with H&E and probed for S-100 protein using immunohistochemistry.A blinded pathologist graded the staining intensities as low, moderate or high.Results: Our data showed that amitriptyline causes dosedependent degenerative changes in submandibular salivary glands when used once (5 mg/kg) or twice (10 mg/kg) versus untreated controls.These changes were also associated with a dose-dependent increase in the S-100 protein expression levels.Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that frequent use of amitriptyline is associated with degenerative changes in salivary glands.This may partially explain xerostomia as a side-effect.More studies are needed to unlock other causes of this side-effect.

Source: Journal of Dentistry Oral Disorders and Therapy

DOI: 10.15226/jdodt.2016.00163

Author: Turki Y. Alhazzazi

Institution: King Abdulaziz University

Language: English

Topic: Salivary Gland Disorders and Functions

Subfield: Physiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: King Abdulaziz University