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Age-related changes in human sublingual glands: a post mortem study
Luciana Reis Azevedo1, José Humberto Damante, Vanessa Soares Lara
1Department of Stomatology, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo Al. Dr. Otávio Pinheiro Brisolla 9-75, 17.012-901 Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil. lrazevedo@yahoo.com
Objectives:
To analyse age- and gender-related microscopic changes in sublingual glands obtained from human cadavers.
Study Design:
One hundred eighty six human sublingual glands were obtained from 93 autopsies. Approximately five individuals of each gender per decade of life were allocated to three age groups: group I (0-30 years, n=26); group II (31-60 years, n=32) and group III (61-90 years, n=35). The specimens were fixed in 10% formalin and submitted to routine histological processing, and sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin.
Results:
Significant differences with increasing age were observed for the following microscopic aspects: acinar atrophy (r=0.26, p=0.0115); replacement of parenchyma by fibrous tissue (r=0.79, p<0.0001) and/or adipose tissue (r=0.63, p<0.0001); oncocytosis (r=0.61, p<0.0001); duct-like structures (chi(2)=14.68, p=0.0006) and congested blood vessels (chi(2)=7.18, p=0.0276). The mononuclear infiltrate changed from focal to diffuse with age (H=8.47, p=0.0144). No significant differences were observed between genders.
Conclusions:
The aging process starts with acinar atrophy, followed by the presence of duct-like structures and ends with the replacement of the parenchyma by fibrous and/or adipose tissue. The mononuclear infiltrate changes from focal to diffuse. No difference in the aging of the sublingual glands is observed between men and women.
