Involvement of heat shock proteins 60 in acetyl salicylic acid radioprotection of Albino rat submandibular salivary gland

The radioprotective effect of acetyl salicylic acid against radiation injury to rat salivary glands was reported but its interrelationship with the expression of heat shock protein 60; an endogenous cytoprotectant against various stressful stimuli has not been previously defined.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to monitor the expression of heat shock protein 60 in irradiated and acetyl salicylic acid radioprotected rat submandibular salivary glands.DesignTwenty six adult male Albino rats were used in this study. The control group was not exposed to irradiation nor administered acetyl salicylic acid. The irradiated group was exposed to a single dose of gamma radiation (6.5 Gy). The radioprotected group was irradiated as the previous group and received acetyl salicylic acid in drinking water (2.5 g/IL) one week before the exposure to irradiation and continued one week after. Animals were killed and the submandibular salivary glands were excised to be examined histologically and immunohistochemically for the expression of heat shock protein 60.ResultsHistopathological examination of the submandibular salivary glands of irradiated group revealed acinar and ductal damage accompanied by weak to negative heat shock protein 60 immunoexpression. However, minimal radiation-induced damage was noticed in the radioprotected group, which immunohistochemically demonstrated localized heat shock protein 60 overexpression in its parenchymal elements.ConclusionThe findings of the present study suggested the association of heat shock protein 60 overexpression with reduction of histopathological damage in acetyl salicylic acid radioproprotected rat submandibular salivary gland.