RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of increasing propolis doses on salivary glands exposed to radiotherapy (RT). METHODS: Thirty-seven rats were divided into 4 groups: The control group (G0, n: 7), G1 group (n: 10), G2 group (n: 10), and G3 group (n: 10). The rats in the G1 group received 15 Gray (Gy) RT only to the head and neck area. The rats in the G2 and G3 groups received 15 Gy RT for the head and neck area along with 100 mg/kg/ml and 200 mg/kg/ml of propolis. The parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands of rats were immunohistochemically stained with aquaporin-1 (AQP-1) and aquaporin-5 (AQP-5). They were also evaluated for malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPO), total antioxidant (TAS), and total oxidant status (TOS). RESULTS: AQP-1 and AQP-5 values were highest in G0 group followed by G3, G2, and G1 groups in decreasing order. The MDA and TOS values were highest in G1 group, which was followed by G2, G3, and G0 groups. The highest GPO, SOD, and TAS values were observed in G0 group followed by G3, G2, and G1 groups in decreasing order. CONCLUSION: It was found that propolis increased antioxidant products and decreased oxidative products in the salivary glands receiving RT in parallel with the dose increase. Similarly, in the groups receiving propolis, an increase in the immune expression of aquaporin molecules was detected in a dose-dependent manner. Based on these data, it could be stated that propolis has a healing effect on the salivary glands exposed to RT.
RESUMEN
Abstract Objective Radiotherapy after head and neck cancer is associated with the risk of osteonecrosis development. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of systemic propolis application to prevent the disease as it has no definite treatment protocol despite the proposed treatment methods and significantly decreases individuals' quality of life. Methodology In total, 29 male Wistar-Albino rats were divided into control, 35 Gy irradiation (Group 1), 35 Gy irradiation+100 mg/kg/ml propolis administration (Group 2), and 35 Gy irradiation+200 mg/kg/ml propolis administration groups (Group 3). Propolis was first applied on the day after radiotherapy, except for the control group. Right first and second molars were extracted from all rats three weeks following radiotherapy. Samples were collected seven weeks after radiotherapy. Osteoblast and osteoclast counts were calculated by histomorphometric analysis. Immunohistochemical analysis determined bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2) and transforming growth factor beta-3 (TGFβ-3). Results Group comparison found non-significant differences regarding osteoblast (p=0.130) and osteoclast (p=0.063) counts. However, Group 1 showed the lowest mean osteoblast (OBL: 82.63 [±13.10]) and highest mean osteoclast counts (OCL: 12.63 [±5.55]). OBL/OCL ratio showed significant differences between groups (p=0.011). Despite the significant difference between the Control and Groups 1 (p=0.006) and 2 (p=0.029), Group 3 showed a non-significant difference (p=0.091). For BMP-2 and TGFB3, the control group showed significant differences with the other two groups (p<0.001), except for Group 3. Conclusion Anatolian propolis showed beneficial effects in a radiotherapy-mediated osteonecrosis model, highlighting its potential as a promising intervention.