Intravenous Versus Local Injection of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells on 5-Fluorouracil treated Parotid Glands of Albino Rats

Abstract

Radiation therapy for cancers of the head and neck, is known to result in significant oral side effects, such as significantly elevating the risk of oropharyngeal, candidiasis, dental decays as well as xerostomia. It is well established that xerostomia is manifested fundementally by the impact of localized radiation over the major SGs, however, recent reports have revealed that chemotherapy may as well reduce the salivary flow and affect the saliva composition even when is not associated with radiotherapy. 5-Fluorouracil is in the antimetabolite and pyrimidine analog groups of chemotherapeutic agents. Chemotherapeutic agents cause cell apoptosis, either by directly interfering with DNA, or by targeting the key proteins needed for cell division which leads to cell death. On the other hand, they can be cytotoxic to healthy cells as well, especially those with a high rate of turnover, for example, the BM, GIT, mucous membranes, hair follicles, epithelium and sperm-forming cells. As intravenous injection, it is used to treat colon cancer, hepatic cancer, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer and breast cancer. However, it has many adverse effects on multiple organs including the SGs. Bone marrow is known to be a reliable and functional environment that comprises stem cells, such as adult MSCs, that can self-renew, proliferate and differentiate into various cell types. It is well established that BMSCs retains a high differentiation potential to a broad range of cells in vitro and thus plays an important role in fields of Regenerative Medicine and Dentistry. However, almost all studies regarding BMSC therapy for SGs were only concerned with the damaging effects of radiation therapy on the submandibular glands solely while only very few