Abstract
Aims: Dipyridamole is a well-known coronary vasodilator. It is an adenosine reuptake inhibitor leading to increased blood levels of adenosine. So, this study aims to investigate the effects of systemic administration of dipyridamole on the salivary gland tissues in the rabbit model. Materials and methods: Ten male rabbits with a body weight of 1.50 ± 0.25kg were involved. The control group (5 animals) received no treatment, while the treatment group (5 animals) was treated with dipyridamole by gavage tube at an oral dose of 8 mg/kg once daily for 30 days. Then all animals were sacrificed and tissue sample sections from the salivary glands were subjected to a hematoxylin-eosin stain and evaluated for histopathological examination. Results: Histopathological slides of parotid and submandibular glands in the treatment group showed abnormal changes in the structure of acinar cells and the cells lining the striated ducts. Sections of parotid displayed necrosis of the cells of serous acini and the cells lining the striated ducts, with the presence of hemorrhage around these ducts. Conclusions: Increased levels of adenosine in the body microenvironment induced by systemic administration of the dipyridamole can cause salivary gland tissue disturbance.
