Effect of Echinochrome A on Submandibular Gland Dysfunction in Ovariectomized Rats

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Cell Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Post-menopausal dry mouth (xerostomia) results from decreased salivary secretion.
• Ovariectomized rats serve as a model for studying menopausal physiological changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of echinochrome A (Ech A) in ameliorating submandibular gland dysfunction in a rat model of menopause.
• To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying Ech A's effects on salivary gland function.

Main Methods:

• Ovariectomized (OVX) rats were treated with echinochrome A (ECH) and compared to sham-operated (SHAM) and untreated OVX groups at 6 and 12 weeks.
• Gene expression analysis (Srebp-1c, Acc, Fasn, Cd36, Tgf-βI, Tgf-βII, Aqp-1, Aqp-5), lipid deposition, reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), iron accumulation, and mucin expression were assessed.

Main Results:

• Ech A treatment (ECH groups) reduced body weight, lipogenesis markers (Srebp-1c, Acc, Fasn, Cd36), lipid vacuole deposition, ROS, MDA, and iron accumulation compared to OVX groups.
• Ech A decreased fibrosis markers (Tgf-β) and improved aquaporin (Aqp-1, Aqp-5) and mucin expressions, which were downregulated in OVX rats.
• Ech A demonstrated protective effects against salivary gland dysfunction by inhibiting lipogenesis and ferroptosis.

Conclusions:

• Echinochrome A effectively prevents and treats post-menopausal salivary gland dysfunction in a rat model.
• Ech A alleviates dry mouth symptoms by reducing lipogenesis, ferroptosis, and fibrosis, and restoring salivary gland function.
• Ech A shows potential as a therapeutic agent for managing menopausal dry mouth.