RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Chronic alcoholism has been associated with structural and physiological changes in salivary glands. Studies on a variety of pathologies have suggested that variation in number of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) reveals conditions of cellular activity. The aim of this work was to examine, through the AgNOR technique, changes in number and size of NORs in lingual salivary glands of chronic alcoholics. METHODS: Samples of mucous and serous lingual salivary glands were obtained from tongues from autopsies of individuals whose cause of death was hepatic alcoholic cirrhosis. Lingual organs from individuals whose cause of death was accidental were used as controls. Number and size of the AgNORs and nuclear area, in ductal and acinar cells, were evaluated through a digital image analyzer. RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed differences (P < or = 0.05) in number of AgNORs in mucous acini and ductal cells. Also, we observed changes in the area of the NORs. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that in alcoholics the activity of glandular cells, mainly in ductal epithelium, could be affected, modifying synthesis, transport and salivary secretions.