Long-Term Exposure to Supraphysiological Levels of Testosterone Impacts Rat Submandibular Gland Proteome.

ABSTRACT: The salivary glands play a central role in the secretion of saliva, whose composition and volume affect oral and overall health. A lesser-explored dimension encompasses the possible changes in salivary gland proteomes in response to fluctuations in sex hormone levels. This study aimed to examine the effects of chronic exposure to testosterone on salivary gland remodeling, particularly focusing on proteomic adaptations. Therefore, male Wistar rats were implanted with subcutaneous testosterone-releasing devices at 14 weeks of age. Their submandibular glands were histologically and molecularly analyzed 47 weeks later. The results underscored a significant increase in gland mass after testosterone exposure, further supported by histologic evidence of granular duct enlargement. Despite increase

SUBMITTER: Valente-Santos J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10778877 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature