Effects of 6– Mercaptopurine on Salivary Glands in Rabbit

Aims: To study the effect of 6 – Mercaptopurine on salivary glands of rabbits. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on 6 young rabbits of both sexes, aged 2 – 3 months, and weighing 1.250-1.350 Kg. They were divided into control group (4 rabbits) which received no any treatment, and treatment group (4 rabbits) that were treated by 6 –MP in dose of 9 mg/Kg for duration of 2 weeks,the drug was administered orally by cavage needle. All animals were dissected and salivary glands (parotid and submandibular glands) were removed from right and left sides, then slides were made and morphometric analysis were made using filar micrometer, a photographs were done and t – test analysis was used to compare two groups. Results: There was loss of architecture of both parotid and submandibular salivary glands with disarrangement of acini. Acinar cells become smaller in diameter that was associated with increase in the interstitial spaces. There was atrophy and shrinkage of striated ducts and all these changes were significant compared to control group except that for parotid gland which showed no significant differences in height of intercalated duct cells compared to control group. Conclusions: Daily administrations of 6 MP for rabbits produced severe degenerative changes in the salivary glands.